Kajiado: The rehabilitation of the Mutaitin-Matura water pan in Kajiado West constituency is 85 percent complete, with the project expected to boost food security, create jobs, and enhance resilience against drought in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, State Department for Irrigation Principal Secretary CPA Ephantus Kimotho stated that the project is part of President Dr. William Ruto's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) on food security and climate resilience. The project, being implemented by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), involves upgrading the 60,000-cubic-metre facility to support households through sustainable water supply for domestic use, livestock, and irrigation.
During a tour of the works, Kimotho emphasized the significance of the project in addressing drought, strengthening community resilience, and supporting livelihoods. 'Projects like this provide sustainable solutions to drought challenges, while empowering communities with reliable water for homes, livestock, and farms. Investment in such initiatives helps residents adapt to climate change, boost food production, and improve overall living standards,' he said.
He reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding irrigation infrastructure nationwide to ensure communities have reliable water supply and a climate-resilient future. The PS was accompanied by his Higher Education and Research counterpart Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, area Member of Parliament George Sunkuiya, and senior officials from NIA led by Board Chairman Eng. Gilbert Maluki and Chief Executive Officer Eng. Charles Muasya.
Sunkuiya welcomed the project, noting that water pans played a vital role in enhancing water harvesting and storage, while easing the burden of long distances in search of water. 'They strengthen community resilience against drought, promote food security, and reduce the burden especially for women and school-going children,' said the legislator.
NIA is implementing several other projects across Kajiado County, including 16 community water pans with a combined storage capacity of 1.13 million cubic metres, which could irrigate 756 acres. The Authority has also constructed 357 household water pans under the Household Irrigation Water Storage Project supporting 701 acres, as well as seven smallholder irrigation projects expected to put 8,650 acres under production once complete.