The Kenyan government has intensified its efforts to bolster food security and agricultural productivity through significant investments in irrigation infrastructure. In Embu County, the State Department for Irrigation, under the stewardship of Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, has spearheaded projects worth Sh3.49 billion, aimed at enhancing the region’s agricultural potential.
During a recent tour of the Mt Kenya region on August 7, 2024, President William Ruto launched several irrigation initiatives, underscoring the government’s commitment to expanding agricultural land under irrigation. The President’s visit drew particular attention to the ongoing progress of the Thuci Social Dam, one of the region’s most ambitious projects.
The Thuci Social Dam is set to be a game-changer for farmers in Embu. With a height of 84 meters and a water storage capacity of 23 million cubic meters, the dam will have the potential to irrigate an additional 16,309 acres of land, benefiting more than 7,000 farmers. The project is not only expected to enhance food security but also to contribute to power generation, with the capacity to produce 40 megawatts per hour.
PS Kimotho highlighted that the Thuci Social Dam project is currently under consultation with a private partner, who is set to submit a Privately Initiated Investment Proposal (PIIP) to develop the dam under the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This model, commonly used to finance large infrastructure projects, allows private entities to build, operate, and eventually transfer ownership back to the government.
The ongoing irrigation projects in Embu, which include 10 active projects with the potential to put 3,906 more acres under irrigation, are part of a broader strategy to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change. Erratic rainfall patterns have posed significant challenges to farmers in the region, but with these irrigation projects, the government aims to enhance farmers’ resilience, create jobs along the agricultural value chain, and improve food security.
In the last year alone, the State Department for Irrigation has successfully increased the land under irrigation by an additional 47,000 acres nationwide. This expansion is crucial as Kenya continues to face food insecurity challenges exacerbated by climate change and fluctuating weather patterns.
Beyond Embu, the government is also making strides in other regions through PPP models. The Galana Kulalu Food Security project, another flagship initiative, is progressing under this model. The Galana Dam, which is being developed by a private investor, is expected to have a capacity of 350 million cubic meters, with the potential to irrigate over 200,000 acres of land. This project is particularly significant for Kenya’s maize value chain, as it is projected to produce 14 million bags of maize, reducing the national deficit by 40 percent and stabilizing the price of unga, a staple food in Kenya.
Additionally, the High Grand Falls Dam, currently under development with a private investor, will further augment Kenya’s irrigation and power generation capabilities. Located across Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, and Tana River counties, the dam will have a storage capacity of 5,600 million cubic meters, irrigate 400,000 acres, and generate 1,000 megawatts of hydropower. This project will also play a critical role in flood control along the Tana River, benefitting counties such as Garissa and Tana River.
Other dams advancing under PPP include Lowaat Dam, Radat Dam, Gogo Dam, and Isiolo Dam. Upcoming projects like Kyakivai, Kaiti, Kithinu, Olenkirionito, Karimeno, Naromoru, Mara, Rwabura, Thiririka, Thingithu, and Kaben dams are also set to be implemented under the PPP framework.
The government’s robust investment in irrigation is a clear indication of its strategic approach to addressing food security and agricultural development, ensuring that Kenya remains on a path to sustainability and economic growth.
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