Kirinyaga County Leaders Advocate for Expanded Irrigation Projects
Kirinyaga County leaders, spearheaded by Mwea MP Mary Maingi and Gichugu MP Robert Gichuimu, engaged in a pivotal discussion with Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho at Maji House on Monday. The high-level meeting focused on advancing both planned and ongoing irrigation initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural productivity in the region.
The key agenda of the meeting was to explore strategies for expanding areas under irrigation to enhance farm produce and market opportunities for local farmers. A significant topic was the Mwea Irrigation Development Project, which is poised for completion and commissioning. This project is expected to unlock 10,000 acres of arable land for food production and enable double cropping, thereby substantially increasing agricultural output in the area.
The delegation included prominent figures from the irrigation sector, such as Irrigation Secretary Eng. Vincent Kabuti, Deputy Director of Irrigation and Drainage Daniel Odero, CEO of the National Irrigation Authority Eng. Charles Muasya, and Incharge of Mwea Irrigation and Agricultural Development (MIAD) Vincent Kipngetich, among others.
During the meeting, the leaders and officials reviewed the progress of various irrigation projects and discussed future plans to further develop agricultural infrastructure in Kirinyaga County. The discussion also covered strategies for ensuring the sustainability of these projects to meet the growing food demands and economic needs of the region.
The ongoing and future irrigation efforts are part of the government’s broader initiative to strengthen the agricultural sector, promote food security, and support rural development across Kenya.
The successful implementation of these projects is expected to play a crucial role in transforming Kirinyaga County into a leading agricultural hub in the country.