President William Samoei Ruto PhD., C.G.H., launched the extension of the River Nzoia secondary dyke in Budalangi on 22nd January, 2025 at Mabinju, in Budalangi, Busia County.
Speaking during the launch, the President said with the protection from floods, farmers will be able to focus on their farm activities which is critical in food security, creation of jobs and improvement of the economy.
The 3.5-kilometer dyke will mitigate the backflow from the lake thus protecting 70,000 people. It will also reclaim more than 20,000 acres of agricultural land and support social economic activities of approximately 7 billion shillings.
The second phase will directly protect the already affected institutions such as Musoma Primary School, Mau Mau Center, Abandon Fish Collection Centre, Musoma Shopping Centre, Mabinju Fish Banda, and AIC Church Musoma including the neighboring areas from the back flow of the lake.
The Authority is mandated to carry out flood control projects in flood prone areas in Kenya. During the rainy season, River Nzoia in Busia County overflows breaking its banks causing heavy floods in Budalangi constituency. These perennial floods lead to displacement of people, loss of lives and destruction of property and livelihoods. This project is therefore meant to mitigate the negative impacts of flooding within the mentioned areas by extending the dyke.
The Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation through World Bank funded projects carried out the improvement of about 34 km (17 Km on each bank) on both banks of the lower parts of Nzoia River from the Ruambwa Bridge towards Lake Victoria with realignment of some sections.
Some of the observed impact of flood control works in Budalangi include large scale rice farming, the settlement of people and livestock in areas protected by dykes, better infrastructure e.g. roads and bridges like Sigiri bridge, better education facilities like rebuilding of permanent infrastructure in primary and secondary schools and general improved social-economic livelihoods.
The President was accompanied by H.E The Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Hon. Moses Wetangula, E.G.H, Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma, Water CS Eng. Eric Mugaa, Energy CS Hon. James Wandayi, CS Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho, area MP Hon. Raphael Wanjala and Busia County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga among other leaders and dignitaries.
The Authority’s team was led by Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru. Also present were Directors Kipseng’eret Koros, Ian Githae and Amina Mohammed. Management team was led by the Ag. Chief Executive Officer Eng. Julius Mugun.

President William Samoei Ruto launches the extension of River Nzoia dyke in Budalangi