In a move to enhance food security and agricultural productivity, the Kenyan government has unveiled a series of irrigation projects, investing Sh3.49 billion. This initiative was highlighted by President William Ruto during his recent visit to the Mt. Kenya region.

According to Ephantus Kimotho, PS of the State Department for Irrigation, “Five completed projects are currently irrigating 5,300 acres, with an additional ten projects underway that have the potential to cover 3,906 more acres.” He emphasized that these projects aim to create jobs and help farmers adapt to the challenges posed by climate change.

One key project, the Thuci Social Dam, stands out with a height of 84 meters and a storage capacity of 23 million cubic meters. Kimotho announced that it could irrigate 16,309 acres and provide crucial support to over 7,000 farmers, along with generating 40 megawatts of power.

President Ruto remarked, “These irrigation projects have the potential to entirely transform our agricultural landscape.” The government has also progressed in public-private partnerships, paving the way for substantial projects, including the Galana Kulalu Food Security initiative and the High Grand Falls dam, aimed at irrigating over 400,000 acres.

As the State Department reports an increase of 47,000 acres under irrigation in the last year, there is renewed hope for stabilizing food production and mitigating the impact of erratic weather patterns. The government’s commitment to these initiatives marks a promising step forward for Kenya’s agricultural sector.