The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation says the newly developed Bura Gravity Canal is transforming agriculture and livelihoods in Bura, Tana River County.
In a statement, Water Cabinet Secretary Eng. Eric Mugaa said the 26-kilometre gravity canal, commissioned last year by President William Ruto, has significantly improved water supply to the arid region, unlocking large-scale irrigation and investment opportunities.
The canal, constructed by the National Irrigation Authority, increased water flow to Bura farms to 11 cubic metres per second from the previous 3.5 cubic metres per second that relied on a pump-fed system.
“The Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation under my leadership is turning the tide in Bura, Tana River County. The recently developed 26KM Bura Gravity Canal, commissioned by H.E the President @WilliamsRuto last year is bringing life to the arid land,”he stated.
Water is now abstracted from Korakora and delivered by gravity to farms located up to 76 kilometres away.
Mugaa noted that the improved water infrastructure has attracted private investors while enabling local farmers to expand irrigated land from 6,000 acres to 12,000 acres and support double cropping annually.
Among the investors is Tana River Sugar Company, which leased 700 acres for sugarcane seed trials. The company established a centre pivot covering 75 acres and planted seed cane in June 2025.
The first seed cane is now ready, with six additional centre pivots constructed, expanding the area under seed cane to 525 acres.
The Cabinet Secretary further revealed that transplanting of seed cane from the nursery is set to begin this week, with an additional 85,000 acres expected to be issued by February for development by three competitively selected private investors.
Of this land, 50,000 acres will be allocated for sugarcane production and 35,000 acres for rice farming.
Mugaa said the expanded irrigation acreage will boost food production, create jobs, reduce poverty and help lower the cost of living, in line with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
He added that the project is positioning Bura as a major agricultural hub in the country.
