KENYA MOJA

  By Victor Patience Oyuko   The Mwache Multipurpose Dam project continues to assert its pivotal role in shaping the developmental landscape of Kwale County.  On Friday, the project witnessed a milestone as the foundation stone for the new Mwache Health Centre was laid—an initiative designed to significantly enhance healthcare services for the region. The event attracted high-level representation from both the national and county governments, underscoring the strategic importance of the project. Health Infrastructure Rooted in a Water Project Serving as the Chief Guest at the groundbreaking ceremony, hosted by Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho , was Her Excellency Fatuma Achani, the Governor of Kwale County. The foundation of the health centre is one of the many tangible social benefits emerging directly from the Mwache Dam initiative. This integration of healthcare into a water-focused infrastructure development exemplifies the government’s commitment to cross-sectoral i...

By Victor Patience Oyuko   On Wednesday morning, the State Department for Irrigation marked yet another milestone in Kenya’s transformative journey toward agricultural self-reliance and food security. In a meeting that underscored the spirit of mutual cooperation and enduring development, the Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led by Mr. Suzuki Fumihiko, Senior Representative. Also present was the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) team, led by their CEO, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS. This strategic engagement was a powerful reminder of what is possible when nations work together with shared values and long-term vision. At the heart of the meeting was one clear goal: consolidating progress and exchanging updates on joint projects that are central to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in the irrigation sub-sector. Advancing Irrigation for National De...

By Victor Patience Oyuko During a recent meeting, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho joined hands with his counterpart, PS Korir, and an experienced delegation from the World Bank to assess the status of ongoing development projects funded under their strategic partnership. The meeting served as a critical moment to take stock of infrastructure initiatives that have been central to accelerating economic transformation and enhancing sustainable development in Kenya. PS Kimotho acknowledged the significance of this collaboration, emphasizing the vital role that World Bank’s financial and technical assistance has played in shaping key national irrigation and water infrastructure ventures. These projects are not just physical constructions; they are lifelines designed to stimulate productivity, improve livelihoods, and secure long-term food and water security for Kenyan communities. Tracking Success: Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project Among the priority undertakings reviewed was t...

By Victor Patience Oyuko  On Tuesday, the State Department of Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho welcomed a high-level delegation from Mandera County to Maji House, led by Deputy Governor H.E. Dr. Ali Maalim. The meeting was more than a courtesy call—it marked the beginning of a potentially transformative irrigation intervention in one of Kenya’s most climate-vulnerable regions. At the heart of the discussion was the Dauwa River, a roughly 150-kilometre transboundary watercourse that traces parts of the border between Kenya, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Preliminary technical assessments have revealed that this river holds the potential to irrigate up to 40,000 acres of land—an opportunity that could change the economic trajectory of Mandera County. In a county where over 72 percent of household income is derived from pastoralism, the discovery of such an irrigation opportunity is nothing short of revolutionary. The PS’s engagement signals serious commitment to unlocking this...

By Victor Patience Oyuko  Kenya’s journey towards agricultural self-sufficiency continues to gain momentum, and at the heart of this transformation is the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP)—a blueprint that is reshaping the future of food security, job creation, and economic inclusion. As implementation of this vital plan accelerates, the State Department for Irrigation under the leadership of Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho is ensuring that no opportunity is wasted in rallying investors to the table. On Tuesday, PS Kimotho hosted a team of investors keen on Pathway No. 3 of NISIP, which focuses on enabling corporate agribusiness. This pathway, one of the most critical components of the national irrigation agenda, seeks to catalyse large-scale, commercially driven agriculture through public-private partnerships. In his engagement, the PS laid out a compelling investment proposition rooted in one of Kenya’s most historic agricultural gems—the Bura Irrigation and...

In a nation striving to build world-class infrastructure and deliver essential services to its people, few obstacles are as frustrating—or as costly—as project delays. They drain public resources, stall progress, and erode trust. Yet, for too long, they have remained a persistent feature of Kenya’s development landscape. On Friday, however, a powerful voice in government spoke directly to this national challenge and signalled a renewed determination to overcome it. Principal Secretary for the State Department for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, was the chief guest at the launch of Eliminating Project Delays and Cost Overruns, a newly published book by the esteemed project management specialist Mr. Nahashon Okowa. The book tackles a problem that continues to undermine effective service delivery across both public and private sectors: delays in project execution and the ballooning of budgets beyond initial estimates. During the launch, the PS acknowledged the scale and frequency of these i...

By Victor Patience Oyuko  In Kabete constituency, a new chapter in Kenya’s sustainable agriculture journey is unfolding. The Muguga Primary School Micro Irrigation Project, launched today with a firm handshake between national and local leaders, is more than just a water project—it is a powerful symbol of hope, innovation, and long-term food security. The project, which is being rolled out under the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP), marks a major shift in how Kenya envisions the role of public institutions, particularly schools, in building resilience against climate change and food insecurity. By focusing on micro-irrigation and greenhouse farming at the school level, the initiative aims to cultivate not just food, but knowledge, responsibility, and environmental stewardship among schoolchildren. Present at the launch was the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, who reiterated the government’s commitment to engaging the ne...

 By Victor Patience Oyuko  Northern Kenya, a region frequently scarred by droughts and food insecurity, is finally on the cusp of long-term transformation through the Drought Resilience Programme for Northern Kenya (DRPNK).  This ambitious initiative, which was officially launched in November 2024, is a flagship investment in climate resilience and agricultural development. At its core, the programme seeks to cushion farmers in Marsabit and Turkana counties—two of the most climate-vulnerable areas in the country—against the devastating impacts of prolonged dry spells. DRPNK is intricately aligned with the revitalized arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) pathway of the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan (NISIP). Through this alignment, the programme positions itself as a critical instrument in not only expanding irrigation access in the ASALs but also ensuring that smallholder farmers are equipped to adapt to a rapidly changing climate. The revitalized ASALs pathway is...

By Victor Patience Oyuko  On Tuesday, a quiet but potentially game-changing chapter began to unfold in the arid heartlands of northern Kenya. Deep within the sun-beaten valleys of Turkana and West Pokot Counties, a powerful current of ambition flowed—not from the Turkwell Dam alone, but from a room filled with decision-makers, visionaries, and leaders driven by a singular mission: to feed a nation and empower its people. Presiding over the meeting was the Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eng. Eric Mugaa. Among the high-profile attendees were Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development Mr. Kello Harsama, National Irrigation Authority CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, and Kenya Valley Development Authority MD Mr. Sammy Naporos. But amid the flurry of policy minds and regional heavyweights, one man’s strategic clarity stood out—Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho. From Potent...

By Victor Patience Oyuko   On Friday , Galana Kulalu stood not just as a piece of land but as a symbol — a sleeping giant now stirring to life, awakened by water and willpower. President William Ruto toured the expansive Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project in Kilifi and Tana River counties, where he announced the completion of key infrastructure — a long-awaited milestone in Kenya’s push for food security. But behind the President’s calm optimism stood the ever-steady Irrigation Principal Secretary, Ephantus Kimotho, whose quiet yet pivotal leadership has been instrumental in moving Galana-Kulalu from concept to near-reality. A Reservoir of Promise The President inspected newly completed works that form the backbone of the revived project: a 753-metre inlet canal, a 450-million-litre reservoir, a 1,210-metre outlet canal, and a 20-million-litre off-take water supply source — a Sh519.4 million infrastructure upgrade now undergoing final testing. In a land once synonymous with stalle...

By Victor Patience Oyuko  13th May, 2025 ON Tuesday, Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation, chaired by Hon. Kangongo Bowen, carrying more than just figures and forecasts — he carried resolve. Facing a sharp 33% reduction in development budget allocations for the Financial Year 2025/26, Kimotho cut a calm and collected figure. Where others might have lamented or deflected, he laid out a forward-looking vision that, even amid fiscal constraints, remains firmly tethered to President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). Leading with Strategy, Not Sentiment The State Department for Irrigation has seen its GoK-funded budget drop from the previous year by Ksh 2.821 billion. Yet, Kimotho was unequivocal: “We are committed to the implementation of various ongoing irrigation projects,” he said, his voice steady, his posture confident. This wasn’t the lament of a frustrated technocrat....