Tharaka nithi: The State Department for Irrigation is set to hand over the 175 million Kiramanthi Irrigation Scheme to 270 local farmers in Tharaka Nithi County. This transfer follows the completion of mandatory training on the operation and maintenance of the irrigation system, in conjunction with a final inspection of the works currently underway.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Director of Irrigation Water Management, Harvesting and Storage, Daniel Odero, officially opened the five-day training session and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing farmers’ incomes and improving national food security through irrigation. Odero, along with a team of engineers and technical experts from the State Department for Irrigation, is conducting training and inspection of the scheme’s works.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the State Department and the Consultant on Smallholder Irrigation Project, Eng. Evans Lusigi, who are leading the training. The 272-acre irrigation scheme, which began in 2023, is currently under a one-year defect liability period and aims to enable farmers to cultivate high-value crops throughout the year.
Jointly funded by the Government of Kenya, Germany Development Bank (KfW), and the farmers themselves-who contributed 50 percent through a loan from the Equity Group Foundation-the scheme is part of the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in the Mount Kenya Region (SIPMK). This program serves as an example of how government, development partners, and the private sector can collaborate to empower smallholder farmers and boost agricultural productivity.
Training commenced with the Magundu Block farmers, including their management committee officials led by Chairlady Brenda Kathure. They were educated on the operational and maintenance aspects of the scheme, covering everything from the intake and sedimentation basin to conveyance lines and farm water distribution. Farmers expressed concerns about theft of components such as valves, which has led to costly replacements.
Eng. Evans Luci, the Resident Engineer for the Smallholder Irrigation Programme, alongside Deputy Director of Irrigation Water Management Bonventure Achonga, addressed these concerns during the training. The session also provided mentorship and field experience for new and intern engineers from the State Department for Irrigation.
The team, led by Director Odero, conducted an inspection of the Kibunga Water Intake on the Kathitha River. Training and inspection activities are set to continue throughout the week for other blocks, including Rwakirungu, Muramba wa Uturi, Lugonde, Kangatha, and Gonya.
The Kiramanthi Irrigation Scheme is a pivotal project aimed at transforming smallholder farming by reducing reliance on rain-fed agriculture and promoting year-round production. It is one of the schemes benefiting from the Smallholder Irrigation Programme in the Mount Kenya Region Phase IV, which concludes this December.
