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Showing posts from December, 2024

My End Year Message to CPA Ephantus Kimotho: Architect of Kenya's Irrigation Revolution

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As we stand at the crossroads of a passing year, I pause to celebrate a visionary leader, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Irrigation. This festive season, as lights twinkle and families gather, it's time we reflect on how transformative leadership can change lives—and yours, sir, has done just that. Under your stewardship, irrigation policies in Kenya have shifted from static plans to dynamic solutions. You have expanded irrigated land, bringing hope to farmers who once feared drought more than debt collectors. Food security, a long-elusive dream, now feels within reach. But this isn’t just about feeding a nation—it’s about empowering millions of Kenyans who toil the land to rise from subsistence to sustainability. Your commitment to sustainable practices isn't just admirable; it’s necessary. In a world where climate change is wreaking havoc, your promotion of efficient irrigation systems and innovative technologies is a lifeline, not a lux...

PS Ephantus Kimotho's blueprint for Climate-Resilient Agriculture

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Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho stands at the forefront of Kenya's battle against climate change, wielding innovative strategies to transform agriculture into a climate-resilient powerhouse. As the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Irrigation, his vision aligns seamlessly with Kenya's ambitious climate goals, aiming to secure food security while combating water scarcity. Blueprint for Climate-Resilient Agriculture PS Kimotho's blueprint is nothing short of revolutionary. Under his leadership at the state department for irrigation, the government has launched a five-year plan (2023-2028) to double the land under irrigation from 664,000 acres to over 1.2 million acres.  This ambitious initiative is designed to bolster irrigated agriculture and enhance food security, crucial in a nation where 98% of agricultural activities are rain-fed and highly vulnerable to climate variability.  Rising temperatures and erratic weather patterns threaten to erode agricultural pro...

Irrigation Beyond Borders: Lessons from Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho for Africa.

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"Water is the most precious gift that God has given us. The future of our planet depends on how we manage it." ~ Anonymous  These words resonate deeply, especially in a continent where the dance between rain and drought can dictate livelihoods, food security, and sustainability. In the heart of this narrative lies the impactful leadership of PS Ephantus Kimotho, whose vision for irrigation in Kenya not only addresses local needs but also sets a precedent for other African nations. The Landscape of Irrigation in Kenya Under the stewardship of PS Ephantus Kimotho, Kenya has experienced a transformative journey in the realm of irrigation. While many African nations grapple with the effects of climate change, Kenya has emerged as a beacon of potential. Did you know that as of 2021, only about 3% of Africa's arable land was irrigated? Contrast that with Kenya, where irrigation schemes have increased from just one million acres to over 2.1 million acres in the last decade. This...

PS Ephantus Kimotho Meets KUSA Leaders: A Commitment to Community Welfare and Student Support

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On Friday, Irrigation Principal Secretary (PS) Ephantus Kimotho welcomed leaders from the Kenyatta University Students Association (KUSA), led by their president, Glen Gikundi. This pivotal meeting, chaired by Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Water, Irrigation, and Sanitation, Mugaa Eric, set the stage for an in-depth discussion on the pressing water and sewerage challenges faced in Kenyatta Market. More importantly, it sought to implement initiatives aimed at supporting vulnerable students, showcasing a collective spirit and commitment to making real change in the community. Addressing Water and Sewerage Needs The discussion opened with a stark acknowledgment of the water and sewerage challenges plaguing Kenyatta Market. These issues were not just statistics; they directly impacted the lives of students and community members alike. As Glen Gikundi passionately explained the struggles faced by the student population in accessing clean water, it became clear that these challenges transcend me...

Proposal to Fund the Pilot Phase of #SaveOurSistersKE

Introduction Femicide is a serious and pervasive issue in Kenya, with many women being brutally murdered every year. This tragic act often goes unnoticed, cloaked in cultural norms, silence within society, and systemic failure. The #SaveOurSistersKE campaign is an audacious intervention set out to alter this reality, leveraging social media as its main platform for education, mobilization, and advocacy against femicide. Through engaging content, survivor stories, and roundtable discussions, the campaign hopes to raise awareness among the public, lift the voices of survivors, and shape policies that concern femicide. This proposal summarizes the five-month pilot phase of the initiative, which primarily uses the X platform to spur meaningful conversations and effect social change. Organization Overview #SaveOurSistersKE is a grassroots advocacy campaign that seeks to address femicide and all other related issues of GBV in Kenya. This initiative aims at creating safe spaces for survivors,...

The outstanding Legacy of CPA Ephantus Kimotho in Kenyan Public Service

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  “Public service is a public trust. We must hold ourselves to the highest standards in order to earn that trust.” – Barack Obama In the world of public service, few embody the spirit of dedication and integrity like CPA Ephantus Kimotho, the current Principal Secretary for Irrigation. His remarkable journey is not just one of individual achievement but rather a testament to what visionary leadership can accomplish for an entire nation. A Legacy of Excellence: The Presidential Award In December 2023, Ephantus Kimotho received one of the highest honors in the nation when he was awarded the Presidential Award of CBS by President William Ruto.  This accolade was in recognition of his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Kenya, particularly through his role in the State Department of Irrigation. The award symbolizes the respect earned by Kimotho—the respect of a leader who has demonstrated that when we invest in our communities, we not only enhance individual lives but a...

PS Kimotho Champions Innovation in Baringo's Irrigation Transformation

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On the sunny Tuesday morning, the desolate stretches of Baringo ushered in a rejuvenating flow of hope with the inspection of the Baringo Clusters Irrigation Project-Phase 1. Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho was joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation, Muugaa Eric on the tour to this mega project.  This will be a project that will increase irrigated land by 764 acres and directly benefit more than 1,100 farmers within the region. The project, currently at 25% completion, is on course for successful completion in February 2026, a testament to the government's continued quest to ensure sustainable agriculture. A Lifeline for Eldama Ravine and Mogotio The Baringo Clusters Irrigation Project gives hope to the people of Eldama Ravine and Mogotio Constituency. For many years, these regions have faced the harsh realities of drought and lack of sufficient water, which has been an obstacle to agricultural development, leaving farmers in...