Government to rehabilitate three dams in Embu

Residents scamper for safety after a helicopter carrying Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri takes off after he commissioned the rehabilitation of Kerwa dam in Mbeere South sub-county. (Joseph Muchiri, Standard)

The national government has begun rehabilitating three dams in Mbeere as it seeks to boost food production through irrigation farming.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, who spoke when he commissioned the rehabilitation of Kerwa Dam in Mbeere South, said the repairs would cost Sh16 million.

The dams will have a combined capacity of 100,000 cubic metres of water and will provide water for farming to 450 families, the CS said.

Mr Kiunjuri revealed that an additional seven earth dams and 256 water pans would be repaired to ensure more families benefited from Government-funded projects.

He advised residents to plant high-value crops such as tomatoes, onions and peppers, saying these would enable them feed and educate their children.