PS Kimotho Launches Amboseli Irrigation Project to Boost Food Security and Water Access in Kajiado County

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, has said that the newly launched Amboseli Irrigation Project in Meshinani, Kajiado South Constituency, has the potential to supply 3.6 million litres of water per day — enough to provide water for 15,000 livestock unit and serve approximately 5000 people per day.

He noted that the project will play a critical role in providing water for irrigation,reduce livestock deaths during droughts and ensure reliable water for domestic use among local communities.

Speaking during the official launch, PS Kimotho said the 21.8 kilometre conveyance line project will draw water from Looloitikoishi and Olgulului Springs and will serve three villages upon completion. The project is expected to take about two years to complete.

Kajiado South Member of Parliament, Hon. Sakimba Parashina, lauded the efforts of the Principal Secretary and the Kenya Kwanza administration for ensuring that Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) like Kajiado benefit from major water and irrigation initiatives. He noted that ongoing irrigation and water projects in the constituency currently exceed Ksh 400 million in investment.

Representing the Governor, H.E. Joseph Ole Lenku, EGH, the County Executive Committee Member for Water, Mr. Michael Semera, commended the collaboration between the National and County Governments, emphasizing that the project will significantly ease the burden faced by women and young girls who often walk long distances to fetch water. He said the project will ensure that clean and affordable water is readily accessible to households and farmers.

Once complete, the Amboseli Irrigation Project is expected to:

• Enhance food and nutrition security through irrigated crop production.

• Provide water for livestock, supporting pastoral and mixed farming systems.

• Create employment opportunities and improve livelihoods for local communities.

• Contribute to drought mitigation efforts and advance the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA) on food security.

Present during the launch were the Irrigation Secretary Eng. Vincent Kabuti OGW, Secretary Land Reclamation Joel Tanui Other Senior National and County government officials among other.