State accelerates irrigation programmes to enhance food security in Embu

Mbeere South Deputy County Commissioner Jacob Mwaura/ COURTESY 

The government has intensified irrigation initiatives in Mbeere, Embu County, as part of a long-term strategy to curb recurring food shortages.

Mbeere South Deputy County Commissioner Jacob Mwaura said the projects are aimed at addressing persistent drought in the semi-arid region.

Mwaura noted that both immediate relief measures and sustainable interventions are underway, with the Kamburu Dam Water Supply and Distribution Project nearing completion.

The project is expected to provide clean domestic water while supporting small-scale irrigation, tackling chronic water shortages and improving food production.

He said the area received insufficient rainfall during the last season, worsening drought conditions. 

In response, the government is distributing relief supplies to vulnerable households while rolling out long-term solutions.

Mwaura cited key projects including the Kamburu, Kiamuringa, and Rupingazi water supply schemes, expressing confidence that they will enhance irrigation and eventually make the region food secure.

Kamburu Dam project site engineer Bernard Njicha said the initiative is close to completion and will benefit about 100,000 households.

He explained that the project will ensure a steady supply of potable water, reducing reliance on rationing.

Njicha added that the Ministry of Irrigation will also draw water from the dam for farming, enabling residents to access both domestic and irrigation water.

Residents have welcomed the projects, praising President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki for fulfilling campaign promises.

Many expressed optimism that reliable water supply will allow them to engage in farming and improve household nutrition.

‎“Every election, people come promising to bring water for us but after they are elected they don’t do what they promised. That is why we are thanking President Ruto and his government for delivering the promise he made in 2022,” said Justa Wanja. 

‎“As a mother, I am hopeful that if water arrives in the grassroots, especially in the fields or our houses, we will start cultivating kitchen gardens. We will be fetching vegetables, onions and other things from our gardens,” she said, cheerfully. 

‎Njue Njoka, 70, traced water shortages and food insecurity to the precolonial era saying that the region had been sidelined by successive governments. “I was born here, since the fifties, I have been staying here; since the time of the British, we have not had water to meet our needs here.” he said. 

‎“This time, we can see the signs, the project is progressing well; it is happening. We will be able to farm, you see, this is a dry place. Things like Sukuma wiki, we get it from Embu but that will soon change,” he said.