Government Expands Water Access as PS Kimotho Commissions Irrigation Project in Bahati

The commissioning of the Line Saba and Engashura Dispensary Micro-Irrigation and Community Boreholes Project marks a significant milestone in the Government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community resilience, expand food security, and improve access to clean water at the grassroots level. Presiding over the event today, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho reaffirmed the State Department for Irrigation’s commitment to practical, people-centered development interventions that directly improve lives.

Located in Kiamaina Ward, Bahati Constituency, the project is set to benefit more than 650 households, the Engashura Dispensary, and surrounding communities by providing reliable and clean water for domestic use, micro-irrigation, and health facility operations. Implemented by the National Irrigation Authority under the State Department for Irrigation, the initiative demonstrates how well-planned water investments can unlock multiple social and economic gains within a single community.

Delivering Clean Water Where It Matters Most

Access to clean and reliable water remains one of the most critical development challenges in many rural and peri-urban parts of the country. For residents of Line Saba and Engashura, water scarcity has historically affected household welfare, agricultural productivity, and the quality of healthcare services.

The newly commissioned boreholes now offer a dependable water supply that eases the daily burden on households, particularly women and children, who often bear the responsibility of sourcing water over long distances. With water closer to home, families can redirect time and energy toward productive activities, education, and community engagement.

Beyond domestic use, the project ensures consistent water availability for Engashura Dispensary, significantly improving hygiene standards, sanitation, and the overall quality of healthcare services. Clean water is fundamental to infection prevention, patient care, and the effective operation of health facilities, making this intervention both timely and impactful.

Strengthening Micro-Irrigation and Food Security

A key pillar of the Line Saba and Engashura project is its support for micro-irrigation. By enabling small-scale irrigation at the household and community level, the project empowers farmers to move away from overreliance on unpredictable rainfall and toward more stable, year-round food production.

Micro-irrigation allows households to grow vegetables, fruits, and other high-value crops on small plots, improving household nutrition while creating opportunities for income generation. This approach aligns with the Government’s broader strategy of promoting smallholder-led agricultural transformation as a pathway to food security and poverty reduction.

PS Kimotho emphasized that irrigation does not always have to be large-scale to be impactful. When properly designed and targeted, community-based and micro-irrigation systems can deliver immediate and sustainable benefits, especially in areas vulnerable to climate variability.

Integrated Development for Resilient Communities

One of the defining strengths of the Line Saba and Engashura project is its integrated approach to development. By linking water supply, irrigation, and health outcomes, the initiative reflects a holistic understanding of community needs.

Reliable water access enhances agricultural productivity, which in turn improves food availability and household incomes. Improved incomes and nutrition contribute to better health outcomes, while enhanced health facility hygiene strengthens disease prevention and overall community wellbeing. Together, these interconnected benefits build resilience against climate shocks, economic stress, and public health challenges.

The project serves as a practical example of how integrated planning across sectors can maximize the impact of public investments and ensure value for money for citizens.

Government Commitment Through the State Department for Irrigation

Speaking during the commissioning, PS Kimotho underscored that the project is part of a wider national agenda to expand irrigation and water access as central pillars of food security and climate resilience. Through the State Department for Irrigation and its implementing agencies, the Government continues to prioritize interventions that directly touch communities and respond to their lived realities.

The National Irrigation Authority’s role in implementing the Line Saba and Engashura project reflects its mandate to deliver efficient, inclusive, and sustainable irrigation solutions across the country. By working closely with local communities and leaders, the Authority ensures that projects are responsive, well-managed, and aligned with long-term development goals.

Climate Resilience at the Community Level

As climate change continues to intensify rainfall variability and increase the frequency of droughts, investments in water storage, boreholes, and irrigation infrastructure are becoming increasingly urgent. Projects such as Line Saba and Engashura equip communities with the tools they need to adapt to changing climatic conditions.

Access to irrigation water enables farmers to maintain production during dry spells, reducing the risk of crop failure and income loss. At the same time, secure water supply for households and health facilities enhances preparedness for climate-related stresses, including heatwaves and waterborne disease outbreaks.

PS Kimotho noted that climate resilience is not only about large national projects but also about ensuring that communities have reliable systems that work every day and respond to local needs.

Tangible Socio-Economic Benefits for Bahati

For the people of Kiamaina Ward and the wider Bahati Constituency, the commissioning of the project represents more than infrastructure. It is a direct investment in dignity, opportunity, and long-term prosperity.

Households now have the means to improve food production, reduce water-related hardships, and strengthen their livelihoods. Health workers at Engashura Dispensary can operate in a cleaner and safer environment, improving service delivery and patient outcomes. The broader community benefits from enhanced cohesion and shared ownership of a development asset that serves collective interests.

Such outcomes reinforce the value of targeted public investments that are carefully aligned with community priorities and national development objectives.

A Model for Scalable Community Interventions

The Line Saba and Engashura Micro-Irrigation and Community Boreholes Project offers valuable lessons for scaling similar interventions across the country. Its success lies in its focused scope, community relevance, and integration of multiple development outcomes.

As the Government continues to expand irrigation coverage and water access nationwide, such community-based models will play an increasingly important role in complementing larger schemes. They offer flexibility, faster implementation, and immediate impact, particularly in areas where large infrastructure projects may take longer to materialize.

Looking Ahead

In commissioning the project, PS Ephantus Kimotho reaffirmed the State Department for Irrigation’s resolve to continue delivering practical solutions that improve lives and strengthen resilience from the ground up. The Department remains committed to working with communities, county governments, and development partners to replicate and scale successful models that integrate water, agriculture, and health outcomes.

The Line Saba and Engashura project stands as clear evidence that when government investments are well-targeted and community-focused, they can deliver lasting socio-economic benefits. It is a reminder that irrigation and water development are not just technical undertakings, but powerful tools for transforming livelihoods, securing food systems, and building a more resilient future for all Kenyans.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To support the blog, Mpesa 0708883777