Embu County allocates Sh50 million to provide irrigation water



Embu County Government has set aside Sh50 million shillings to construct water pans and mini dams to boost irrigation in the semi-arid Mbeere area to boost food production.
Governor Martin Wambora revealed that construction of ten water pans and two multipurpose mini dams across the county to help farmers mitigate drought effects will start soon.
Farmers in the county have been grappling with the scarcity of water, especially during the recent drought that resulted into failed harvest for the majority.
According to Wambora, the drought situation forced many farmers to vandalize water pipes belonging to Embu Water and Sanitation Company (Ewasco) and used treated water for irrigation, denying people downstream clean drinking water.
He said the treated water is not suitable for irrigation and ended up destroying their crops.
“The water pans and mini dams will end the water crisis that arises when farmers vandalise water pipes. Treated water is harmful to crops and puts at risk the county’s food security. As we do our part, I urge farmers to harvest rain water during this rainy season,” he said.
The governor spoke when Embassy of Japan and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) officials on a tour of project activities aimed at improving water access in Kenya paid him a courtesy call.
Wambora said as a conservation measure his government was issuing bamboo seedlings to farmers to plant near rivers as a way of discouraging riparian agriculture.
Ewasco managing director Hamilton Karugendo said the company has been incurring heavy losses due to the vandalism affecting the company’s operations and revenue.
JICA officials noted that water is one of key elements in implementing the government’s big four agenda especially in boosting the country’s food security and health.

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