The National Government has put in place plans to ensure construction of more dykes in flood-prone areas, in an effort to reclaim more land for agricultural activities.
Speaking in Trans Nzoia County while on an inspection tour of the dyke construction works along the River Sabwani in Kwanza, State Department for Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho revealed that close to 4 kilometres of the works have been completed, with more than 1000 public farms being reclaimed in Marinda, Namanja, Amuka, and Bidii.
The PS revealed that close to Sh60 million has since been spent, adding that Sh30 million more has been set aside to complete the remaining two kilometres downstream this year.
“The National Water Authority, mandated on behalf of the national government to undertake development of national public water works for water resource storage and flood control, has done a wonderful job. The flood control systems it has put in place to mitigate against the effects of floods and droughts need to be supported.
The 1000 farms which the authority has helped to reclaim in this region, which is the country’s food basket, have led to increased maize productivity by 30,000 bags,” he said, adding that reclamation of more land parcels will greatly enhance food security.
The PS challenged the Authority to consider scaling up construction of more dykes and gabions upstream in an effort to mitigate more siltation along the riverbeds downstream, which has been singled out as a major cause of flooding.
The extent of works in the last Financial Year entailed the construction of a 500-meter earth dyke along the southern side of the River Sabwani, the construction of an 185-meter auxiliary dyke along the River Chemususu, the de-silting of the delta where the River Chemususu joins the River Sabwani dyke filling of 300 mm height onto the existing 1.1 km long dyke, the cutting of drainage channels on both sides of the dyke to relieve flow, and the construction of two cattle ramps.
The local community, led by Susan Naliaka, thanked the National Water Authority for the flood intervention mechanisms and requested for more dykes to be done along the river to cover a wider area.
“We thank the government for the efforts put in place to mitigate floods in this region. It has given us room to practice farming like other Kenyans elsewhere. We can now plant maize, beans, and other crops, something which has never happened here. However, we request the completion of the dykes downstream, which will go a long way towards helping more families,” she said.
River Sabwani has in the past been a thorn in the flesh for Namanjalala residents and the surrounding areas whenever there was heavy downpour.
In May 2024, for instance, three lives were lost and close to 50 families displaced in the region when the river broke its banks following an abnormal downpour in the country.
Accompanying the PS who later inspected Siyoi Muruny Dam in West Pokot County were Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi, Irrigation Secretary Eng. Vincent Kabuti, Secretary Administration Kipkemei Yatich, Director Land Reclamation Ian Thande, Chief Finance Officer Daniel Kihara, and a team from National Water led by Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru, Director Kipseng’eret Koros, and Ag. CEO, John Muhia, among other senior staff.
By Isaiah Nayika
