Beneficiaries of the Kaihi Irrigation Project in Kangema Constituency, Murang’a County, have a reason to smile as the long-awaited project becomes fully operational, allowing farmers to access irrigation water and enhance agricultural production.
The Sh400 million project, fully funded by the State Department for Irrigation, is nearing completion, with 800 out of 1,600 households already connected to irrigation water. The remaining households are expected to be connected by December this year.
Each of the 1,600 smallholder farmers will irrigate half an acre, bringing the total irrigated area to 800 acres. The project is expected to significantly boost household incomes, improve food security, and create employment opportunities within the community.
During an inspection and verification visit by the Contract Administration, Inspection and Implementation Committee (CAIIC) from the State Department for Irrigation, the Kaihi Irrigation Water Users Association (IWUA) expressed gratitude to the government for the timely completion of the project.
Speaking during the meeting, Josephat Macharia, Chairman of the Kaihi IWUA, thanked the government for its continued support and investment in rural irrigation infrastructure, noting that the project would be a game changer for local farmers.
“This project will transform our farming practices from rain-fed to reliable irrigated agriculture, ensuring consistent crop production throughout the year,” said Macharia.
The CAIIC team, led by Bonventure Achonga, Deputy Director for Irrigation Water Management at the State Department for Irrigation and Chairman of the committee, visited several farms under the scheme to verify progress. Achonga urged the local management committee to ensure proper maintenance and transparent operations for long-term sustainability.
“We are happy with the progress so far. The farmers must now take ownership and ensure the infrastructure is well maintained to benefit future generations,” said Achonga.
He emphasized that the Kaihi Irrigation Project is instrumental in enhancing food security, increasing household incomes, and creating employment opportunities through commercialized small-scale farming.
The CAIIC members also toured several connected households in Kanorero, Giku, and other surrounding areas, confirming that the beneficiaries were already accessing water and beginning irrigation on their farms.
According to the project’s Resident Engineer, Eng Evance Lusi, the infrastructure includes a reliable water intake system, pipelines, and distribution networks designed to serve the entire project area efficiently. He said the project had been implemented to meet national irrigation standards and ensure long-term viability.
Other CAIIC members present during the inspection included Eng. Felix Kipchumba, Dr Elly Yaluk, and Nahumi Mutua, who commended the progress and urged the beneficiaries to embrace modern irrigation practices for maximum productivity.
The Kaihi Irrigation Scheme is part of the government’s broader initiative to expand irrigated agriculture across the country under the Food Security pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
By Kibet Cheptumo and Peninah Kihika
