President William Ruto has commissioned an earth dam irrigation project in Uasin Gishu County that is expected to bring 500 acres under irrigation and benefit 1,000 farmers.
The Ziwa 2 project, located in Sirikwa Location, Soy Constituency, is expected to help farmers grow crops throughout the year by providing a more reliable water supply.
Ruto commissioned the project on Monday, October 12, alongside Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho and National Irrigation Authority Chief Executive Officer Charles Muasya.
The rehabilitation works began in June 2025 and involved desilting the dam and reconstructing its embankment, increasing its water storage capacity to one million cubic metres.
Two solar-powered pumping systems have also been installed to supply water to farms.
According to the State Department for Irrigation, the project will support the cultivation of maize and beans alongside high-value crops such as tomatoes, onions, spinach, kale, passion fruit and coffee.
The department projects that farmers could earn an average of KSh200,000 per acre annually by growing crops during two seasons. The figure is an estimate rather than guaranteed income.
The project is expected to help 1,000 households transition from rain-fed agriculture to irrigation, while another 5,000 people are projected to benefit indirectly through employment and related economic activities.
Kimotho’s department, through the National Irrigation Authority, will support farmers with training in commercial agriculture, the formation and strengthening of an irrigation water users’ association, and links to markets.
The authority said the project was substantially complete, with the remaining farmer connections and fencing expected to be finalised by the end of November 2026.
The government is also planning a second phase that would bring an additional 2,000 acres under irrigation and benefit another 4,000 households.
The expansion is expected to extend access to irrigation water to more farmers in the area.
