Buuri east: In the semi-arid plains of Buuri East subcounty, Meru County, farming was once a gamble, and for years, residents like Lucy Makena Kimathi struggled to raise crops from the dry earth, their efforts often being thwarted by erratic rains and the unforgiving climate.
According to Kenya News Agency, residents previously engaged in minimal farming due to insufficient rainfall, but the intervention of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) marked a significant turning point. The Kiirua-Buuri water project, initiated by the NIA, has emerged as a beacon of hope for the local farmers.
Phase one of the project introduced irrigation to long-neglected areas, enabling farmers to transition from subsistence to commercial agriculture. “We have seen changes in our lifestyles, especially those connected to phase one of the project,” said Ms. Makena, urging the government to advance to the second phase to include more farmers.
Elijah Kiara, an onion and potato farmer from Nkando village, supports Makena’s views, noting that the project brought financial empowerment. As an operations officer in the project, Kiara has witnessed the transformation firsthand. “Earlier we were doing small-scale, but we have now expanded courtesy of the National Irrigation Authority,” he said.
The project currently spans three wards-Kiirua/Naari, Kibirichia, and Ruiri Rwarera-providing water to thousands of residents. Mr. Zakayo Muthamia, a member of the Kiirua-Buuri irrigation project, highlights the increased membership and appreciation for phase one facilitated by the NIA.
The impact is visible, with farmers now cultivating potatoes, tomatoes, cabbage, garden peas, and green maize, achieving projected gross margins of about Sh285,000 per acre annually. The land, once barren, is now productive.
During a recent visit, Water and Sanitation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa announced the release of Sh100 million to expand the Kiirua-Buuri project. This funding is part of a larger Sh500 million plan to extend irrigation to over 3,000 residents in local villages. “My work is to ensure that even as I serve the rest of the country, the people of Meru also benefit,” Mugaa said, emphasizing the role of water access in economic transformation.
Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri noted that the project is expected to alleviate poverty by boosting agricultural productivity and improving household incomes. President William Ruto had previously promised a second phase, a commitment eagerly anticipated by farmers.
For individuals like Lucy and Elijah, the expansion signifies more than just water; it represents independence, dignity, and the capacity to prosper without relying on government assistance.
The government’s supplementary budget also allocated Sh300 million for the Meru town sewerage project and revived several stalled water projects, including the Kamburu water project in Tigania West.
