President William Ruto on Wednesday, August 7, launched the Kanyuambora Irrigation Project in Mbeere North Constituency, Embu County in a function attended by top leaders in the area.
The project, however, became a topic of public debate after reports emerged that it was initially launched by former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary, Sicily Kariuki, in 2021.
The Ksh220 million project, funded by the national government through the National Irrigation Authority, was designed to tap water from the Thuci River to irrigate 1,000 acres, benefiting 1,250 farmers affected by frequent drought.
The project was originally scheduled for completion within one and a half years. According to tender documents, the contractor was expected to construct an intake weir, a sedimentation basin, an infield system, among others on 625-acre land.
The Project was Launched First in 2021
The National Irrigation Authority says the project stalled in February 2022 due to non-performance by the contractor, Joycott General.
As a result, the contract was terminated in accordance with legal provisions, and the project was re-procured under the Kenya Kwanza Government.
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Following a successful and competitive procurement process, the project now has a new contractor who is has agreed to complete it within the set timelines hence the relaunch by President William Ruto relaunched the project this week.
Key components of the re-launched project by President Ruto include the construction of an intake, an 8.6 km conveyance system, 14.9 km mainline, sub-mains, and a comprehensive distribution system.
The project will support the cultivation of various horticultural crops, cereals, pulses, coffee, bananas, and Napier fodder for livestock.
It is expected to create 3,125 direct jobs and 6,250 indirect jobs, enhance food security, and generate an estimated annual revenue of Ksh130 million.
President Ruto also launched the Iriari Irrigation Project in Runyenjes Constituency. This project will also draw water from the Thuci River to irrigate 500 acres, benefiting 500 farmers.
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Kenyans React After Ruto Re-Launches Project
Kenyans took to social media to question why the head of state was re-launching projects that had already been launched by his predecessor.
Blogger Cornelius Ronoh said humorously that the President might have run out of ideas.
“President Ruto is now busy relaunching Uhuru’s projects and putting his name on them. He has even stopped so low by relaunching a project that had already been launched by former CS Sicily Kariuki. He thinks that people are fools,” he said.
Another X user Ericy Warren posed, “How many times is one development project launched in Kenya? President William Ruto is relaunching kanyuambora irrigation project for the 2nd time.
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