Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho Kimani on Tuesday held a follow-up meeting with Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru to review findings from technical assessments and a joint site visit on the proposed project/HANDOUT
The Government has stepped up plans to develop a water management and irrigation project linking Lake Baringo and Lake Bogoria, with efforts now focused on resource mobilisation and detailed feasibility studies.
Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho Kimani on Tuesday held a follow-up meeting with Principal Secretary for Defence Patrick Mariru to review findings from technical assessments and a joint site visit on the proposed project.
The consultations follow assessments of rising water levels in the two lakes and discussions on how excess water could be safely managed and put to productive use, particularly for irrigation.
According to the State Department for Irrigation, preliminary assessments indicate that excess water could potentially be evacuated from affected areas through appropriate infrastructure and conveyed to areas with potential for irrigation development.
The joint site visit enabled technical teams to assess the terrain, existing water systems and possible routes for water evacuation and conveyance. The findings are now being used to guide discussions on the next phase of the proposed project.
The proposed intervention is expected to support both large-scale and community-based irrigation schemes, increasing the amount of land under irrigation and reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture.
The meeting also focused on the steps required before implementation, including mobilisation of resources for detailed feasibility studies, hydrological and environmental assessments, engineering designs, land and irrigation suitability assessments, and development of water conveyance and distribution infrastructure.
The State Department for Irrigation is leading work on the irrigation component, including identifying potential command areas, determining irrigation water requirements and assessing crops and agricultural value chains that could be supported by the project.
The government said the project could increase agricultural production, create employment and improve household incomes while contributing to food security.
The proposed collaboration between the State Department for Irrigation and the Ministry of Defence is expected to bring together expertise in irrigation development, water management, engineering, logistics and infrastructure implementation.
The Government said it will continue engaging national agencies, development partners, private-sector investors and other stakeholders to mobilise resources needed to move the project from the assessment stage to implementation.
It said technical work would prioritise solutions that are technically sound, environmentally sustainable and beneficial to communities as the proposed irrigation development is advanced.
