- The government plans to rehabilitate three small dams in Nandi County to improve access to irrigation water
- Ndalat Dam’s rehabilitation is expected to bring 17 acres under irrigation and benefit 68 households
- The project will address silt accumulation, overgrown vegetation and damaged embankments while improving the dam’s safety
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The government will rehabilitate three small dams in Nandi County to expand access to irrigation water, boost food production and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
Source: Facebook
Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho announced the plan on Friday, October 16, during an inspection of Ndalat Dam in Mosop Constituency, where years of inadequate maintenance have affected the facility’s ability to serve local residents.
The inspection brought together officials from the State Department for Irrigation and the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), including Irrigation Secretary Joel Tanui and NIA Chief Executive Officer Charles Muasya.
Nandi Deputy Governor Yulitah Mitei Cheruiyot and Mosop MP Abraham Kirwa also joined the delegation.
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What did Kimotho say about the Nandi dams?
Kimotho said the rehabilitation programme was part of the government’s efforts to address residents’ longstanding demand for reliable water supplies and unlock the area’s agricultural potential.
“The president has heard your cry for water,” the PS told residents, emphasising the importance of dependable water supplies in improving food security, household incomes and livelihoods.
He explained that the rehabilitated dams would provide water for supplemental irrigation, helping farmers reduce their dependence on rainfall, increase production and venture into high-value crops.
The improved water supply is also expected to help farmers maintain more consistent harvests throughout the year and supply markets more reliably.
What is the condition of Ndalat Dam?
Ndalat Dam was built during the colonial period to provide water for livestock, domestic use and farming. However, years of inadequate maintenance have left it in poor condition.
The reservoir has accumulated significant amounts of silt and is heavily covered by papyrus and reeds. The facility also lacks a spillway, while sections of its embankment have been eroded, raising safety concerns and increasing the risk of flooding in nearby homes and farms.
The dam is fed by a permanent stream and has a reservoir covering approximately 1.5 acres, with an estimated storage capacity of 25,000 cubic metres.
Under the planned rehabilitation, the government will remove accumulated silt and vegetation, stabilise eroded sections of the embankment and construct a properly sized spillway with downstream erosion protection.
How many farmers will benefit from the project?
The rehabilitation is expected to bring 17 acres under irrigation and benefit 68 households.
Farmers in the surrounding area currently grow tea, coffee, cereals and horticultural crops. Reliable irrigation water is expected to help them diversify production, reduce crop losses during dry periods and improve agricultural output.
The project is also expected to create jobs during construction and generate further economic opportunities once the irrigation scheme becomes operational. Increased farm production could boost household incomes, stimulate local trade and improve water availability for livestock.
The rehabilitation of the three dams forms part of the government’s broader programme to expand smallholder irrigation, strengthen resilience to changing weather patterns and improve food and nutrition security.
Source: TUKO.co.ke