The Government is committed to ensure Thwake multi-purpose dam is completed on time in order to provide water to the residents of Lower Eastern Region, do irrigation and contribute to the food security in Kenya.
The commitment was made by the Acting Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Principal Secretary Dr Eng Joseph Njoroge, during an inspection tour of the dam.
Dr Njoroge said that the counties of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui have good soils where crops could be planted and grow faster due to the warmth of the climate of the area, and as a result increase food production in the country.
He observed the only impediment to achieving this was lack of water but the problem would be a thing of the past once the dam is completed by the close of this financial year.
“The Government is committed to ensure the project is completed in time and provide water to the residents of Machakos, Makueni and Kitui to grow crops through irrigation and contribute to the food and nutrition security,” Dr Njoroge said while addressing the media at the project site.
The Principal Secretary said that the area was good in growing crops like maize within three months, faster than the highlands due to its warm climate.
Once the dam is completed, over 40,000 hectares of land is expected to be under irrigation besides providing clean water to 1.3 million residents from the three counties in the region including Konza Technopolis City.
Ministry of Water Secretary Eng Samuel Alima accompanied the PS besides other officials.
By Patrick Nyakundi
