Construction works for the water intake of the Kaihi Irrigation project in Kangema Constituency have commenced.
The multimillion mega project which is set to benefit over 10,000 residents of Kanorero, Ihigaini, and Gikui villages, had been started in 2009 by farmers but stalled due to lack of funds.
Joseph Gichore, the Secretary to the project, observed that the commencement of the irrigation project had come as a relief to the residents, who have for long wished to have water to carry out agricultural activities.
He noted that already over 1700 households have registered to benefit from the Sh500 million irrigation project.
“Our people will be able to leverage on this utility and contribute to the county’s nutrient-rich food basket, which will also improve the economic and social standards of this area,” he said.
The project has also created employment opportunities for hundreds, as casual labour is being offered by locals within the project’s catchment area.
“We are hard-working people with acres of land, yet we have not been able to produce enough food even for ourselves because we lack water, but with this project, we finally have light at the end of the tunnel,” says Boniface Mwangi, a resident.
“Apart from working in this project as a casual labourer where I am able to put food on the table for my family, I am excited that I will be able to practice profitable farming of bananas, French beans, and tomatoes using the water from this project,” Mwangi added.
Faith Wanjiru, a mother of three, beams with joy as she narrates how the project has transformed her life.
“I have been doing menial jobs, which are hard to come by, and sometimes I would go home to hungry kids with empty hands, but since I started working on this project as a casual labourer, my children are well taken care of,” said Wanjiru.
She adds that she will also be able to save some money for her son, who will be joining JSS next year.
The area Member of Parliament, Peter Kihungi, lauded the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation for their commitment towards that vital project that is expected to significantly boost agricultural productivity in the area, thus improving food security.
He noted that the residents had a chance to utilise the project productively by engaging in agricultural activities like farming and animal rearing to leverage on the ultra-modern market that is coming up at Karugia.
“A market for your farm produce is already coming up where you will not only sell your produce but also have a reliable sales channel with a large customer base for your fresh produce, which will potentially improve the social economic standards of this area,” Kihungi noted.
Kihungi urged the residents to use the irrigation water to nurture and produce high-quality and profitable farm produce.
By Florence Kinyua
