Today H.E. Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD., CGH. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-In-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces accompanied by the Deputy President Hon. Rigathi Gachagua officially commissioned Changachicha Irrigation Project in Chinga ward, Othaya Constituency, Nyeri County.
Present were Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Murang’a County Governor, Irungu Kang’ata, Othaya Constituency MP, Hon. Michael Wainaina Wambugu, area MCA, Karuga Thuku and other leaders from the Mt. Kenya region.
They were received by the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Water, Sanitation, & Irrigation Mr. Zachariah M. Njeru, EGH, Principal Secretary State Department for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, Authority’s Chairman of the Board Eng. Gilbert Maluki, Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Charles Muasya, MBS and other senior officials from the State Department for Irrigation and the National Irrigation Authority.
Changachicha Irrigation Project was started in April 2021 and completed in December 2023. The project, which is 100% complete has an acreage of 500 acres benefitting about 1,600 households. The project supports growing of high value commercial vegetables such as cabbages, kale, tomatoes, spinach, and carrots by farmers in the region using sprinkler irrigation system. The project components entail intake works, a conveyance pipe of 5,840M long, three main lines of 19,950M long HDPE pipes, distribution lines, feeder lines and an infield system.
The President was pleased with the work done and promised his support towards the implementation of Phase 2 of the project which will ensure the full potential of Changachicha Irrigation Project is realized thus increasing food production in the country.
The Authority continues to provide and coordinate sustainable development and management of irrigation services in the country with the aim of steering this country towards food security by ensuring every irrigable acre has water.