institutions among others.
The Authority continues to deliver service to Kenyans in courteous and effective way as it works towards making Kenya a food secure and prosperous nation as envisioned in the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Today, accompanied by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Board Chairman Eng. Gilbert Maluki, NIA CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, Buuri Constituency MP Hon. Mugambi Rindikiri, and other local and national leaders, I conducted an inspection and public participation meeting for Phase II of the Kiirua Buuri Irrigation Water Project in Buuri Constituency, Meru County.
Since its commissioning by His Excellency Dr. @WilliamsRuto, President of the Republic of Kenya in April 2023, the project has put 2,000 acres under irrigation, serving approximately 3,700 farmers and significantly increasing their earnings to about Ksh 700 million per year.
Phase II will be implemented by the National Irrigation Authority and will expand the project to bring more land under irrigation, thereby increasing agricultural productivity, boosting farmers' incomes, creating more opportunities for the community, and contributing to national food security.
The expansion of the Kiirua Buuri Irrigation Project underscores the government’s commitment to shifting the country from rain-fed agriculture to irrigated agriculture to ensure food security, as it is envisaged in the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA).
Since its commissioning by H.E the President in April 2023, the project has put 2,000 acres under irrigation and is currently serving approximately 3,700 farmers.
He also emphasized the importance of today’s public participation in the expansion of the project, which will enable it to benefit even more farmers in the region.
The elections were conducted in an open and transparent manner, with winners determined by majority vote, reinforcing democratic participation and establishing leadership to support accountable and sustainable irrigation management.
In the IWUA Executive Office, David Odawo was elected Chairperson, David Otieno Odawo as Secretary and John Osambo Orayo as Treasurer, while Elly Okuta, Nancy Ongus and John Nick were elected to lead the Group Leaders Executive Office.
In the Dispute Resolution Committee Leaders Executive Office (2026–2029), George Odhiambo Owade was elected Chairperson, George Obunde as Secretary and Godfrey Achero as Treasurer.
The Authority facilitated election of farmers' leaders in Ahero Irrigation scheme for Irrigation Water Users' Association (IWUA), Dispute Resolution Committee Executive and Groups’ Executive.
The exercise provided an opportunity for farmers to exercise their democratic right and elect leaders who will serve as a vital link between the farming community and National Irrigation Authority officers, promoting effective communication, and efficient scheme management.
The elections were conducted through an open and transparent manner, where farmers elected their preferred candidates, with those receiving the highest number of votes declared winners.
During the exercise, each block elected a Block Representative, Offtake Leader and Feeder Leaders. Moreover, each block also elected one representative to the Dispute Resolution Committee.
Today, the Authority facilitated the farmers’ primary elections at the Ahero Irrigation Scheme, which were conducted by the Directorate of Social Development, aimed at strengthening farmer representation and governance within the scheme.
Cont… stipulated timeframe so as to help reduce the sugar production gap in Kenya, contribute to food production, reduction of poverty, creation of employment opportunities, and lowering of the cost of living as espoused in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
NIA CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, promised to ensure the provision of irrigation water and all other necessary support to the investor for successful implementation of the project, and he further called on the investor to progressively crop the entire farm within the…
Cont… they will create additonal job opportunities to the local communities on top of the about 200 workers already engaged in the 700 acres currently under crop. They will also establish sugar cane milling plants and other value addition infrastructure.
The investor will use modern technology and precision agriculture to maximize the available land for sugarcane production. As they expand the area under sugar cane production…