KISUMU – In a significant move to address water and food security challenges, the Kenyan government has initiated negotiations with the contractor of the Koru-Soin Dam, aiming to resume the stalled project. Six months ago, operations were suspended by China Jianxi International Kenya Limited and China Jianxi International Economic and Cooperation Company Limited due to non-payment issues. Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru highlighted the importance of the 19.9 billion shilling project, fully funded by the Kenyan government, for its critical role in enhancing rice production in the Ahero area.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project situated on the border of Kisumu and Kericho counties is pivotal for ensuring the take-off of enhanced rice production efforts in Ahero. During a tour of the project site, Njeru explained that the completion of the dam would allow for water to be fed into the Ahero Irrigation Scheme by gravity, significantly reducing the current production costs associated with the use of electric pumps, which incur monthly bills of up to 4.5 million shillings.
“The completion of this dam will enable us to decommission these pumps, benefiting both the government and farmers by lowering the cost of production,” Njeru stated. He further noted the plan to expand the land under irrigation to address the national rice deficit. “Currently, we import 700,000 metric tonnes of rice annually, but this project is expected to significantly contribute to meeting this demand,” he added.
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho emphasized the government’s focus on the Western region and the Tana water basin to expand irrigation activities. Kimotho mentioned that last year, the State Department for Irrigation succeeded in opening up 47,933 acres for irrigation, with a target to increase this to 60,000 acres this year. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance food security by adding up to one million acres under irrigation by 2027.
“Intensifying irrigation infrastructure in the Western region, which hosts one of the best water basins, is key to our efforts to boost food security,” Kimotho remarked.