The Kenya Cereal Enhancement Programme Climate Resilient Agricultural Livelihoods Window (KCEP-CRAL) will spend Sh65 million to fund six water projects in Yatta, Masinga and Mwala subcounties in Machakos County, aimed at alleviating food insecurity for smallholder farmers and improving resilience to climate change.
KCEP -CRAL Head of the Natural Resource Management Unit (NRM), Justin Muriuki, while speaking outside the Machakos Governor’s office Tuesday during a ceremony to hand over the projects to contractors, said the projects will include the drilling of a borehole at Masaani in Kibauni ward at a cost of Sh11.1 million and the construction of service dams at Kavoke in Kithimani ward (12.4 million), Iuuma-Kyondoni dam in Kivaa ward (Sh12.9 million) and Kwa Mukunga dam at Muthesya ward at an estimated cost of Sh11.6 million.
The initiative will also encompass the laying of a new pipeline at Mavoloni-Ivomboni in Ndalani ward for Sh7.8 million and an extension of Nzukini-Wamboo pipeline at Ekalalaka ward at a cost of Sh8.8 million.
The projects being implemented under the KCEP-CRAL resource management and climate change adaptation component are funded by the Government of Kenya and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
The work will be overseen by the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with the county government.
Speaking at the same event, Governor Wavinya Ndeti hailed the projects saying they will reduce dependency on rain-fed agriculture.
“Accelerated and expanded water harvesting, construction of dams and drilling of boreholes will help the community have a holistic approach to agriculture leading to maximum utilisation of arable land,” said Wavinya.
The governor lauded KCEP-CRAL for the initiative and called for more collaboration from the national government and other local partners to help harness water during the rainy season for enhanced food production.
“Water harvesting programmes in the county have helped farmers shift from traditional crops to others that are adaptable to climate change,” she added.
Wavinya called for more research in the water and agriculture sectors in order to come up with adaptation programmes to alleviate climate change.
“The programmes will lead to sustainable food production and environmental protection. The research should also integrate technology so as to attract the youth who are techno-savvy,” she noted.
The governor urged the contractors to carry out the projects as stipulated to ensure value for money.
“These projects will improve the living conditions of the people through poverty eradication and I urge the contractors to do a good job,” added Wavinya.
By Roselyne Kavoo
