The state has commenced the renovation of Olopito dam irrigation project that is expected to benefit 200 farmers, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Eric Muriithi Mugaa has said.
Mugaa who spoke when he toured the 200 acres’ project confirmed that already the main piping of 5.6 kilometers had been completed, awaiting the individual piping in the farmers’ gardens.
He wondered why the project that was financed by Japan International Corporation Authority (JICA) and the government of Kenya at a tune of Sh. 26 million in 2012 was stalled.
“I wonder why the project was not completed on time to benefit the farmers. I promise that the government will inject more funds in this project to help farmers in piping the water in their farms,” he said.
He asked the residents to take advantage of the project to farm fast growing crops like cabbage, kale, carrots, potatoes and beans that do well in the area.
“Do not let the water be wasted by allowing it to flow without being used the right way. We want all the water to be used for irrigation so that we can improve food production in our country.
CS Mugaa reiterated that the project will have multiple benefits to residents, observing that apart from fostering irrigation the dam is a mega project to control perennial floods in Narok town and boost water requirements.
“The water will be piped through gravity hence reducing operational costs,” he said, adding that the project will greatly contribute to the food and nutrition security in the country.
The local people led by Simon Kuyioni appreciated the government for the initiative and urged for finalization of the project so that it would benefit them fully.
He also asked the government to construct the road leading to the project and install electricity so as to boost the livelihood of the people in the area.
By Ann Salaton
