The government is set to roll out a Ksh50 million irrigation project in Nandi County to boost food security, food production and household incomes.
Principal Secretary for Irrigation Enphantus Kimotho said a public participation exercise for the Siwo Irrigation Project was conducted in Chepkunyuk Ward, Nandi Hills Constituency, to engage residents on the initiative.
The project aims to improve water access for irrigation, food, nutrition security, and economic activities for the local communities.
Planned work to be carried out include the rehabilitation of the spring-pump house and water storage tank, supply, and installation of solar powered water pumping systems, drilling of two boreholes and water reticulation system to cover about 300 acres.
This will support 400 households through the improved access to food and nutrition; increase employment opportunities; incentivize farmers to grow and sell the high values foods improve incomes and foster farmer, led food systems at the local level.
The initiative will also support school nutrition programmes through kitchen garden drip-irrigation systems that will support learners’ access to fresh produce.
According to Kimotho, the project is designed to improve climate resilience by offering a more consistent water source for agriculture unlike rainfall.
This investment aligns with the government’s
Bottom, Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritises food security, agricultural productivity and improved livelihoods through targeted investments in irrigation and rural development.
