Wei Wei Irrigation scheme commissioned in West Pokot

Last Updated 10 years ago by Kenya Engineer

Italian government through the Italian Corporation and Kenyan government will unveil the third phase of WeiWei Irrigation scheme in West Pokot County.  The plant that will be commissioned today, November 2, 2016   covers an area of 325 hectares and will benefit 325 households. After its completion, a total of 600 hectares will be covered serving 600 households, which is equivalent to 3,000 people.

The project that sought expansion from residents in order to enhance food production, diversify from livestock keeping and reduce over reliance on relief food is set to significantly boost food security in the County and among households too. First phase of the scheme was piloted in 1986 and the second phase was completed in 1992. Kerio Valley Development Authority is managing the project on behalf of the government.

Italy channelled KES1 billion grant to Wei Wei irrigation scheme to step up crop production.

The county government is also upgrading the canal /furrow schemes to piped irrigation schemes to increase irrigation water effiency from the current 30 per cent to 75 per cent hence increasing area under irrigation. Several canal /furrow schemes using the same river intake can be amalgamated into one piped irrigation scheme with one intake thus improve water conveyance, efficiency and scheme management.

It is estimated that more than 300,000 hectares of irrigable land go to waste due to lack of proper irrigation policy and insufficient funding despite parts of the country experiencing perennial food shortage caused by recurrent drought.

Statistics from National Irrigation Board shows that the country has an irrigable potential of more than 600,000 hectares but less than 150,000 hectares alone has been developed, most of which apply outdated irrigation systems like furrow.

Additionally, the Kamatira Cheptongei road will be launched to improve efficiency in transport, assist promote farming activities of crops, wool sheep and dairy in the highlands of the county.