Nairobi: The Great Escarpment Belt Irrigation Project in Kinale Forest, Lari Subcounty, is almost complete, with only some piping work remaining before the scheme is fully operational. The project aims to enhance irrigation in the area by drawing water from the permanent Gatamaiyu River through a weir and intake chamber, which are integral parts of the water abstraction system.
According to Kenya News Agency, the irrigation scheme is implemented by the State Department for Irrigation at the cost of Sh 316 million. It is designed as a gravity-fed pipe sprinkler system covering approximately 500 acres and supporting around 500 farmers. This system will redirect water from the intake chamber into a network of distribution pipes that will serve farms across the escarpment belt.
The weir, despite its relatively small size, is not a storage dam but is designed to hold and direct water into the intake chamber. From there, the water will be transported through the pipeline network to the targeted farming areas. The distribution system is set to benefit regions including Kijabe, Machani, Mbau-ini, Korio, Kabunge, Escarpment, and Gitithia.
More than 10,000 families in these areas are projected to benefit from improved access to irrigation water, particularly during dry seasons when water shortages frequently impact farming activities. The importance of maintaining a reliable water source was underscored by Paul Gichaga, a forester at Kinale Forest, who emphasized the consistent flow of the Gatamaiyu River throughout the year. He stated that the intake has been designed to allow water diversion for irrigation while ensuring the river continues to flow downstream, crucial for both the forest ecosystem and dependent communities.
Gichaga further noted that the scheme would enable farmers to access water during dry periods while preserving the ecological value of Kinale Forest. For farmers living along the escarpment belt, dependable irrigation remains vital during low rainfall periods. Peter Kung’u, a resident of the area, expressed optimism about the project, stating that farmers had long struggled with water shortages, particularly during dry seasons. The project is expected to allow for more consistent crop growth and reduce losses when rains fail.
Once the remaining piping work is completed, the irrigation scheme is anticipated to provide a more reliable water source for food crop and vegetable production in the escarpment belt, thereby helping to mitigate crop losses associated with extended dry spells.
