Hon. Zachariah Njeru, Ministry of Water CS, accompanied by the PS Irrigation Mr. Ephantus Kimotho and other officials from the National Irrigation Authority and National Water Harvesting Authority concluded a 2-day inspection tour of Western Kenya and Nyanza region, by site visit to Koru-Soin Multipurpose Dam and Ahero Settlement Scheme in Kisumu County.
The CS, speaking to the media and community leaders said the project will have multiple benefits to residents of Kisumu and Kericho counties.
After completion, the multipurpose dam will foster irrigation, generation of hydro power, flood control along R. Nyando as well as serve as a boost to domestic water requirements.
The dam will rely more on gravity-fed Irrigation system to ensure low sustainability and low operational costs.
CS Njeru noted that the 19.9 billion Shillings project will greatly contribute to the food and nutrition security in line with Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
At 14,868 -acre Ahero Irrigation Scheme, the CS Njeru said the Government is keen to enhance and broaden the irrigation component to meet the country’s rice requirements which stand at 700,000 metric tonnes.
President Ruto has on numerous occasions shared his vision of halving the resources spent on food imports from 500 Billion shillings to about 250 Billion in the next 5 years.
Ahero Irrigation Scheme has 4 electric driven pumps of which 3 are operational and heavily relies on the use of open earth canals for irrigation purposes.
PS Kimotho encouraged Kenyans to take advantage of the available resources, increased Government support and opportunities at their disposal to expand Irrigation activities and rice farming to boost food security and the economy.