PS Ephantus Kimotho Assesses Progress of Kamata Irrigation Project in Mbeere North

On Tuesday, 25th November 2025, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho spent the day with farmers at the Kamata Irrigation Project in Mbeere North Sub-County, Embu County. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with optimism, questions, and real stories of transformation already taking shape on the ground. This project, now 40 percent complete, will irrigate 420 acres and support 420 farming households once fully operational. For the families who depend on these lands, the project brings not only water but the promise of stability and progress.

The Kamata visit also included a tour of households benefiting from the 80 Household Water Pans, each capable of holding 120,000 cubic metres of water. These water pans have quietly changed the rhythm of village life, giving families the ability to farm confidently even when rainfall patterns shift. Irrigation Principal Secretary Kimotho listened to their experiences, learned about their challenges, and witnessed firsthand the changes enabled by reliable water storage.

Farmers Turning Water into Opportunity

One of the most striking moments of the day was seeing how farmers have embraced modern irrigation to diversify into high-value crops that once seemed beyond reach. Across the homesteads visited, farmers have ventured into tomatoes, maize, vegetables, wheat, avocados, macadamia, passion fruit, and tree tomatoes. These crops paint a different picture of Mbeere North, replacing uncertainty with productivity and turning idle land into active farming zones.

The households using water pan irrigation have become early proof of how simple, well-planned investments can create economic stability. Families have moved beyond subsistence farming toward commercial agriculture. Children are going to school with fewer interruptions, the cost of running diesel pumps is steadily becoming a topic of the past, and the community is beginning to see farming as a dependable business rather than a gamble on the rains.

Strengthening Capacity for Climate-Resilient Farming

As he engaged with farmers, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho placed strong emphasis on equipping communities with the skills and tools needed for climate-resilient irrigation practices. The realities of climate change have made irrigation not a luxury but a necessity, especially for counties that frequently fall on the wrong side of rainfall patterns.

A major area of focus is the transition from diesel-powered pumps to solar irrigation systems. This shift is expected to significantly reduce the cost of production for farmers while increasing the reliability of water supply. Diesel pumps have been a financial burden for years, limiting irrigation to only those who can afford fluctuating fuel prices. Solar-powered systems open the door for every household to irrigate consistently, sustainably, and affordably.

This transition is also aligned with the wider climate agenda, reducing emissions from agriculture and promoting environmental responsibility. For smallholders who live on narrow margins, solar irrigation represents not just a technology upgrade but a doorway to long-term economic security.

Kamata as Part of a National Vision

The Kamata Irrigation Project is not an isolated undertaking. It is part of the State Department for Irrigation’s broader goal of expanding irrigated land to 2 million acres nationwide. This vision is anchored in the belief that irrigation is the backbone of Kenya’s food security future. As rainfall becomes less predictable and population continues to rise, irrigation offers stability and growth where nature once dictated limits.

In Mbeere North, Kamata symbolizes this national commitment. Once complete, it will offer families a durable source of water, unlock new possibilities in crop production, and strengthen agricultural value chains across the county. The project will reduce dependency on relief food, stabilise household incomes, and allow communities to plan their lives with confidence.

Irrigation Principal Secretary Kimotho reminded farmers that national targets will only be achieved through partnerships with local communities. Government support is important, but real change happens when households embrace new practices and sustain them. The farmers at Kamata and those using household water pans have already demonstrated this willingness.

A Growing Culture of Innovation in Agriculture

What is unfolding in Embu County is a shift in how farmers view their land and possibilities. Irrigation has sparked a new culture of innovation, encouraging families to diversify crops, adopt modern techniques, and experiment with fresh ideas. Some are exploring greenhouse farming. Others are branching into value addition for fruits and vegetables. Many are setting up small commercial nurseries because irrigation allows them to grow seedlings for sale throughout the year.

With water security improving, it has also become easier to integrate livestock farming with irrigation, creating mixed farming systems that reduce risk and increase profitability. This kind of innovation is exactly what the State Department for Irrigation wants to encourage across Kenya.

A Community Rising Together

Beyond the technical progress, the Kamata visit reflected something deeper. There is a growing sense of collective purpose among the farmers. Households are learning from one another, sharing irrigation tips, exchanging seeds, and supporting each other through the process. The presence of Irrigation Principal Secretary Kimotho strengthened this sense of unity and reminded the community that they are not working alone but are part of a national transformation.

The engagement also highlighted the importance of continuous training. With new irrigation systems comes the need for knowledge on maintenance, crop selection, pests, soil health, marketing, and financial planning. The State Department for Irrigation has committed to ongoing capacity-building programmes so that farmers can make full use of the opportunities ahead of them.

Building a Food-Secure and Climate-Resilient Kenya

As the day concluded, it was clear that the Kamata Irrigation Project stands as a beacon of what modern irrigation can deliver. It is a practical demonstration of how strategic investment, community participation, and strong government leadership can reshape rural economies.

Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho’s message to the farmers of Mbeere North was grounded in this vision. He reassured them that they remain central to the government’s commitment to create a food-secure, climate-resilient Kenya. With irrigation, households are gaining predictable harvests, better incomes, improved nutrition, and stronger resilience against climate shocks.

The visit to Kamata was not only a progress check. It was a celebration of what communities can achieve when water becomes reliable. It was a reminder that Kenya’s irrigation journey is not measured only by pipelines and acres but by people whose lives change when water reaches their farms.

In Embu County, that change is already visible. And with continued investment, collaboration, and the leadership of Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, the future promises even greater transformation.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708 883 777.