By The
Mountain Journal Team
National
Irrigation Authority is implementing irrigation projects estimated at Sh7
billion in Murang’a county.
The projects
are meant to irrigate thousands of acres to
convert major parts in lower Murang’a to food baskets.
Water and
Irrigation Principal Secretary Joseph Wairagu said farmers in areas where the
22 irrigation projects are designed to have been taken for training, to help them
understand how to take care of high-value crops.
Speaking when
he visited Mbiri and Gaturi wards for inspection of the irrigation projects, he
said, the government invested billions
of shillings to enable the residents to be
food secure.
The PS inspecting water pipes at Mirira Chiefs Camp in Kiharu
“Another
seven irrigation projects are
underway as we are looking for funds to
implement them for the interests of our
people in the lower parts” said the PS.
He was accompanied by Chief Executive
Officers Eng Mwangi Thuita and Gitonga
Mugambi of Athi and National Irrigation Authority (NIA) respectively.
“ Some of
the irrigation projects are about to be completed and it is the wish of the government they will turn the villages into food baskets,” said Wairagu adding that President Uhuru Kenyatta’s
government is focusing on transformation.
Chairman of
Mirira irrigation project Gerald Ndung’u said the project funded by the
government is designed to irrigate 2,000 acres.
“ We are
waiting for the completion of the project that we hope will convert
Gikindu to a food basket,” said Ndung’u.
Map of Mirira irrigation project
At the same time, the PS disclosed that Northern Water Collector
Tunnel (NWCT) was complete with piping being the problem between Kigoro and Ng’ethu
due to lack of land.
“ The land matter is being handled by the National Land Commission (NLC) to ensure the
project will be completed within time,”
said the PS.
The 11.8 kilometers tunnel will fetch water from rivers Gikigie, Maragua and Irati at
140,000 cubic metres per day.
On Ithanga water project, he described it as successful saying it was almost
complete, with the expansion of Kigumo water treatment plant being on course.
“ We are
making efforts to increase water coverage in the county and concentrating with
lower parts,” he said.
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