KENYA MOJA

By Victor Patience Oyuko   MWEA Irrigation Scheme is no longer just a name on a map. It is a place that has become the loudest proof yet that Kenya can grow enough to feed herself. Anchored by the powerful presence of Thiba Dam, Mwea has transformed from a seasonal rice basket into a national powerhouse for food production. This transformation is no accident. It is a result of calculated planning, precise engineering, and above all, relentless commitment from the State Department for Irrigation. Over the past year, this scheme has shifted gears. The Thiba Dam, completed in April 2022, has been fully operational since 2023. It is the largest single infrastructure investment ever undertaken in the history of Mwea Irrigation Scheme. From the moment water was released downstream, what had always felt like a promising future suddenly became the new reality for over 30,000 acres of farmland. This dam was designed not only to hold water, but to build a nation. And it’s doing exactly that...

By Victor Oyuko At the heart of Kilifi and Tana River counties lies a stretch of land that has, for years, symbolised both great promise and deep national interest—the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Project. On Friday, that promise took a bold step forward when the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, Mr. Felix Koskei, visited the project to assess progress and reaffirm the government’s commitment to sustainable food security through large-scale irrigation. He was hosted by Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, who led a team of key officials and stakeholders in showcasing the strides made so far. The field visit marked a high-level endorsement of Galana Kulalu’s role as a national priority under Kenya’s agricultural transformation agenda. For PS Kimotho, it was more than a routine inspection. It was a strong sign that the work being done under the State Department for Irrigation is not only noticed but also supported at the very top of government. Galana Kulalu: A National ...

  By Victor Oyuko Oyuko During a site visit to Taita Taveta County, Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho led a high-level team to inspect two major irrigation projects that are expected to improve food production, create jobs, and strengthen rural livelihoods. His visit, supported by county leaders and national agencies, focused on assessing the rehabilitation of the Buruma Irrigation Scheme and the development of the Lower River Lumi and Murabani Irrigation Project. The inspection was part of the government’s wider effort to scale up irrigation infrastructure in key counties and ensure farming communities can access water all year round. PS Kimotho, speaking during the visit, reaffirmed the national government’s commitment under the leadership of the President to expand irrigated agriculture as a core strategy for economic transformation, food security, and household income growth. Buruma Irrigation Scheme: Restoring and Expanding One of the key stops during the ins...

  By Victor Patience Oyuko  In Baringo County, momentum is building around one of Kenya’s most transformative infrastructure projects—Radat Dam. A vision long spoken of is now taking structured form under the stewardship of Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho. On a significant day of public engagement, the people of Mogotio were invited to the decision-making arena, not as bystanders, but as critical participants in shaping a future defined by secure water access, expanded agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods. A New Chapter for Perkerra and Beyond The Radat Dam project, strategically positioned about 25 kilometers south of Marigat township, is poised to unlock agricultural and economic transformation across the region. The design of the dam seeks to tame and utilize the floodwaters of the local river, channelling its seasonal chaos into structured opportunity. At the center of its ambition lies the Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, a decades-old lifeline that ha...

By Victor Patience Oyuko   Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho welcomed a high-level delegation from the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) to Maji House for a transformative engagement centered on strengthening Kenya’s irrigation and water resource management systems. The meeting, held today at Maji House, was marked by candid dialogue, data-driven reflection, and a shared sense of urgency to revamp the country’s irrigation landscape. PS Kimotho described the meeting as a powerful opportunity to align Kenya’s national irrigation goals with IWMI’s extensive global expertise. He reaffirmed that the State Department remains fully committed to the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), which outlines an ambitious but achievable target: expanding the area under irrigation to 1 million acres over the next decade. This vision, he said, is not only about acreage but about transforming the very architecture of how Kenya manages its precious water resou...

 By Victor Patience Oyuko  In the heart of Baringo County, an awakening is taking shape — one forged through water, public will, and visionary leadership. The Radat Dam project, situated approximately 25 kilometres south of Marigat township, is not just a construction site. It is a symbol of national intent and a bold stride towards sustainable development in Kenya's arid and semi-arid regions.  On Friday, 13th June 2025, a vital moment in this journey will unfold — a public participation forum focusing on ecosystem restoration and land compensation, led by Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Chris Kiptoo and supported by Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho. This event is more than a community gathering. It is a demonstration of how public participation, grounded in transparency and dialogue, can become a cornerstone of infrastructural transformation. A Dam with Purpose and Power The Radat Dam, with a planned capacity of 124 million cubic meters, is no ordinary p...