Irrigation push raises hope of ending hunger in Turkana

Principal Secretary for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, assesses a mango tree with a local farmer, inspecting the impact of irrigation efforts and evaluating the progress of agricultural development in the area.[Bakari Angela, Standard] Turkana County, long battered by recurring drought and food insecurity, is now turning to irrigation as a lifeline, with residents expressing renewed hope following a two-day inspection tour by Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho. The tour, which started on Thursday, is expected to end today in Turkana East. For years, erratic rainfall and prolonged dry spells have left vast parts of Turkana unable to sustain rain-fed agriculture, forcing thousands of households to depend on relief food. Rivers dry up, pasture disappears, and families are pushed to the brink. But leaders now say the region's fortunes could change if ongoing irrigation investments are fully implemented. The PS tour focused on key projects including the Nanye Irrigation Scheme in Loima Sub-county and the Alfred Powery Primary School Micro-Irrigation Project, as the government steps up efforts to unlock Turkana's agricultural potential. County officials, led by David Maraka Namus, welcomed the initiative, noting that irrigation remains the most viable solution to ending hunger in the arid region. At Nanye, the reality on the ground remains harsh. Farmers say blocked and silted canals have denied them access to water, making it nearly impossible to farm despite the presence of irrigation infrastructure. "We are happy the government has come here. If the canals are opened and irrigation is supported, we will farm," said Ekiru Lotir, a local farmer."Right now, many people are hungry because the canals are blocked. Most of us are not planting." flourishing mango tree within the Health-Dam irrigation scheme, showcasing the growing success of irrigation in supporting fruit production and transforming Turkana's agricultural potential.[ Bakari Angela, Another resident, Simon Ekal, said the community is eager to move away from dependency on aid."We don't want to rely on relief food anymore. We want to farm, feed our families, and even support others if we get enough water," he said."If the canals are fixed, Turkana can produce food."Residents noted that many have resorted to digging small, informal channels to access water, a temporary and ineffective solution that has left farms largely unproductive.Yet despite the challenges, some farmers have already shown what is possible where water is available.Across parts of Nanye, residents have planted maize, sorghum, sugarcane, mangoes and bananas, demonstrating that Turkana's land can support diverse crops when irrigation systems function effectively.A key highlight of the tour was the focus on school-based irrigation and water access at Alfred Powery Primary School, seen as a turning point for remote learning communities.At the school, a solar-powered borehole and micro-irrigation system is supporting water access, agriculture and learning.Students no longer walk long distances in search of water-a burden that previously affected attendance and performance."Such projects should be done in all remote areas where children walk many kilometers to fetch water. It affects their learning because they come to school tired and sometimes late," said one resident."When children spend time looking for water instead of studying, education suffers. Water in schools will help improve their future," added another parent."With water available at school, children can focus on learning, and we can also grow food to support feeding programmes. It is a big relief," a teacher said.In his remarks, Kimotho said the government has committed Sh460 million towards the Health Dam-Nanye Irrigation Scheme in Takweal, Loima Sub-county. Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho assesses the school irrigation demonstration farm, observing the integration of water systems in supporting agriculture, learning, and nutrition.[Bakari Angela, Standard] The project includes reconstruction of a major dam with a capacity of 2.6 million cubic metres, expected to draw water from River Turkwel, about 2.8 kilometres away, ensuring reliable supply for large-scale irrigation. Currently, Turkana has about 70,000 acres under irrigation, but the government targets at least 200,000 acres as part of a broader expansion plan. "Spinach inasaidia kuongeza damu kwa mwili. Hakikisho kuwa Turkana ina uwezo wa kutoa chakula. Shida ni mambo ya maji lakini Rais ametupa iyo kazi tumeongea na wajumbe na kaunti ya Turkana. Rais ametupa kazi ya kutafta rasilmali na timu ya ufundi ili kwakikisha maji yana patikana Turkana," said Kimotho. "Turkana iko na mito tatu: Omo, Turkwel na Kerio. Tukivuna hayo maji itasaidia kuleta chakula. Kaunti ya Turkana iko na uwezo wa kuwa kikapu cha chakula ya nchi." At Alfred Powery Primary School, the PS also commissioned a Sh10 million solar-powered borehole and micro-irrigation system. "The project produces up to 180,000 litres of water daily and supports drip irrigation, school feeding programmes, and community water access through kiosks," he said. The project is already transforming both the school and surrounding community. Students now have water within the school compound, while the surrounding community benefits from access for domestic use, livestock and irrigation. The PS noted that Turkana has been strategically identified for irrigation expansion due to its vast arable land and available water resources. With canals restored and water flowing, the county has the potential to transform into a regional food basket. "We don't want to depend on relief food. We want to produce our own food and even help others," said one resident. As the government ramps up investment in irrigation infrastructure, expectations are high that the long-standing cycle of hunger could finally be broken. For communities in Nanye and across Turkana, irrigation represents more than development-it offers a path to self-reliance and a future where harvests replace hunger.

Irrigation push raises hope of ending hunger in Turkana

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