The ongoing implementation of smallholder irrigation programme in 19 counties in Kenya is on course. Chief Administrative Secretary for Water and Irrigation Dr Andrew Tuimur confirmed the report and said the projects are nearing completion.
Smallholder Irrigation Program
The Smallholder Irrigation Program aims to increase household incomes of smallholder farmers through the introduction of intensive irrigated farming. The Ministry of water, sanitation and irrigation is the implementing agency through a programme management unit based in Embu and which is headed by an implementation support consultant (ISC). The role of the national government is to provide overall oversight and policy guidance on program implementation to the PMU.
Dr. Tuimur noted that added four counties within Mt Kenya region have benefited from the program. Farmers in Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Meru counties are among the 19 counties covered under the project meant to increase the national acreage under irrigation. Speaking at Ndomba village in Kirinyaga County while on a tour of the ongoing projects within Mwea East Sub-county Wednesday, the CAS said the government had spent Kshs. 254 million to implement the programme for 2000 farmers across Kirinyaga County so far.
Tuimur and his team also inspected the progress of the ongoing Sh 500 million Kerugoya/Kutus sewerage system whose treatment tanks are located within Ndomba village. He said the government had come up with a requirement that all water supply projects must have a component of the sewerage systems
“It is along that line that we have a Sh. 1.3 billion water supply system under construction alongside the sewerage project which when completed will serve Kerugoya, Kutus, Kagio and Sagana towns within this county,“ said CAS Tuimur.
The intake is currently under construction within Mt Kenya forest. The overall project when completed will have cost the government Sh 1.2 billion.
