20/08/2025
The Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, accompanied by Mr. Joel Tanui, Irrigation Secretary, Climate Resilience, Land Reclamation and Irrigation; Eng. Gilbert Maluki, Chairman, Board of Directors, National Irrigation Authority (NIA); Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS, Chief Executive Officer, NIA; and Eng. Jairus Serede, Director, Irrigation Management Services visited Tana Irrigation Scheme.
They were received in Hola by Mr. Mwangi, Deputy County Commissioner, Mwanajuma Hiribae, Acting County Secretary and CEC Agriculture, Tana River County, The Scheme Manager and farmer leaders.
The visit began with an address to farmers gathered at the Tana Irrigation scheme offices, where the PS underlined the Government’s focus on water security and expanding irrigation capacity. He outlined a comprehensive plan that will see the expansion of 3,000 acres and the rehabilitation of 4,500 acres of existing infrastructure, bringing the total irrigable land to 10,000 acres. The plan also includes the rehabilitation of two water reservoirs and desilting of canals to enhance efficiency and ensure reliable water distribution.
The PS also spoke about climate-resilient interventions, emphasizing the introduction of gravity-fed irrigation systems combined with lining of canals to minimize water losses and secure long-term sustainability of the scheme. He further addressed the issue of the invasive Prosopis Juliflora (“Mathenge”), noting that instead of being a burden to farmers, it will be converted into an income-generating resource under a biological management system.
On matters of market access and farmer empowerment, the PS emphasized the importance of strong cooperatives and private sector partnerships, pointing to the successes of the Mwea and Ahero irrigation schemes. He confirmed that similar models will be replicated in Tana to enhance value addition, strengthen market linkages and attract investors. To further support farmers, the Government will also roll out capacity building and training programs, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to participate fully in value chains and benefit from value addition.
The farmers expressed their gratitude to NIA and the Government for the achievements already made, particularly the electrification of the Makere II pump station and requested for implementation of the long term plan of Solarizing the intake and eventually construction of a gravity intake.
At the Makere II pump station, the PS and his delegation inspected the newly completed electrification project. The initiative, undertaken in partnership with REREC and Kenya Power, represents a major milestone for the scheme, as it will significantly reduce irrigation costs, stabilize water supply and expand crop production capacity.
Following this inspection, the PS joined local farmers in the fields where he actively participated in rice cultivation and planting. This symbolic gesture demonstrated the Government’s solidarity with farmers and its unwavering commitment to making irrigated agriculture a cornerstone of food security.
The visit reaffirmed the National Irrigation Authority's dedication to revitalizing the Tana Irrigation Scheme through infrastructural upgrades, farmer empowerment and market linkages. With these interventions, the scheme is positioned to not only boost food production but also transform livelihoods, making it a model for sustainable irrigation agriculture in Kenya as espoused in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
