The Kenyan government has set ambitious targets to irrigate 1.2 million acres of land countrywide by 2022.
Water Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki has noted that the country has made significant progress in irrigation, with 600,000 acres already under irrigation, up from the initial 300,000 acres.
As part of the government's efforts to achieve water sufficiency targets, the Ministry of Water has embarked on reviving old water pans, constructing new dams, desilting existing dams, and drilling boreholes.
According to Kariuki, this initiative will greatly improve the economic livelihood of farmers, reducing their reliance on rain-fed farming, which has hindered food security efforts.
"We have invested Sh1.6 billion in irrigation in Nyandarua County over the past two years, connecting seven out of ten people to water, up from five out of ten previously," Kariuki said. "I promise to ensure eight out of ten people are connected to water by August next year," she added.
The CS also criticized leaders who politicize national government projects and urged administrators to complete state projects on time, without undue political interference.
During the commissioning of the Lereshwa Borehole in Nyandarua County, Kariuki emphasized the importance of gender equality and youth inclusion in village water committees.
Additionally, the CS flagged off the issuance of 300,000 avocado tree seedlings across the county, encouraging local farmers to plant avocados and explore export opportunities.
"I want to see local farmers plant avocados and earn extra income," Kariuki said. "We can even export them to other countries in the near future," she added.
