Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho held a meeting with the Board and staff of the Authority to track progress of projects and general operations of the Authority with an aim of shared Vision and collective responsibility in discharging the mandate of the State Department for Irrigation. The PS thanked the Authority for implementing projects that have had a huge positive impact in the community especially the flood control projects.
CPA Kimotho reiterated the mandate of the Irrigation Department; to increase area under irrigation which is around 700, 000 acres by 500,000 acres every five years up to 2032, water storage, flood control and food production.
“Synergy between the two agencies in the Department; National Irrigation Authority and National Water Authority is paramount for our success in discharging our mandate.” PS Kimotho.
The PS noted that for the Department to achieve this, there need for more water storage through National Water. He pointed out that the key projects like Siyoi-Muruny dam in West Pokot, Umaa Dam in Kitui, Soin-Koru Dam in Kericho and Kisumu and Boston Dam in Bomet as projects of priority. Kimotho said the current water storage by the State Department for Irrigation is 55Mm3 and targets to increase this to 440Mm3 by 2027 and 1 billion m3 by 2032. He was accompanied by the Irrigation Secretary, Eng. Vincent Kabuti, OGW, Secretary for Administration, Kipkemei Yatich, MBS, and Director of Land Reclamation, Thandi Githae.
The Authority’s Chairman CPA Symon Kimaru thanked the PS for his support especially in lobbying for funds to ensure projects being implemented by the Authority proceed to completion. CPA Kimaru said the board is keen to ensure the recently launched Strategic Plan is implemented fully. Hence, the team shall work closely with the PS and the Ministry’s leadership to achieve set goals and targets. The Chairman was accompanied by the Board of Directors Kipseng’eret Koros, Benjamin Mwololo, Amina Mohamed, Rogers Chepkwony’, Thandi Githae, Symon Mwihaki and Leonard Maritim.
Ag. CEO Eng. Julius Mugun welcomed the PS thanking him for his support and leadership in the Department for Irrigation. Eng. Mugun briefed the PS on the Authority’s projects, achievements, plans and challenges. He committed that management will do its part to ensure improved service delivery and provision of water for drought mitigation, flood control and irrigation adding that the Authority is already exploring the potential of underground water in ASAL areas as directed by the CS.
