Kiruki Kiende Irrigation project officially handed over to farmers in Embu

PENINAH KIHIKA AND ESTHER MAKU-PCO

TThe Government is strengthening farmer-led irrigation development in Embu County. This follows the official handover of the Kiruki Kiende Irrigation Project in Gaturi South (Nembure), Embu West Sub-County.

The Kiruki Kiende Irrigation Project, a smallholder irrigation initiative in the Mount Kenya region, has been operational since 2012 through a collaborative partnership between the Government of Kenya, KfW (a German development bank), Equity Bank, and local farmers.

It is designed to support local farmers by reducing their dependence on rain-fed agriculture and enabling year-round cultivation of high-value crops.

However due to water abstractions upstream, the amount of water flowing into the farms had greatly reduced, negatively impacting on its capacity to support irrigation all year round, especially during the dry spells.

The site handover at Kiruki Kiende Irrigation Water Users Association (IUWA) offices was witnessed by the Director, Irrigation Water Management, who is also in charge of Farmer-Led Irrigation Development at the State Department for Irrigation Daniel Odero.

Others were Eng. Jackson Meja who represented the County Executive Member for Water, Irrigation, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, County Government of Embu, John Mugo Kigoro. 

The rehabilitation works to be undertaken at a cost of Sh21 million covers approximately 129 acres and directly benefits 258 farmers, each farming a half an acre portion.

Mr Odero revealed that the State Department seeks to increase farmer-led irrigation development to 250,000 acres in the next 10 years in line with NISIP provisions.

He emphasized the importance of strong governance structures within the Irrigation Water Users Association and urged the farmers’ committee to uphold accountability, transparency and proper maintenance of the infrastructure to ensure sustainability and longterm functionality of the scheme once rehabilitated.

The farmers welcomed the move, expressing optimism that once complete, the rehabilitation works will transform agricultural activities in the area by ensuring consistent water supply throughout the year.