Safaricom power project to boost food security in Kwale

A model food production project in a drought-stricken part of Kwale county has received a major boost after the M-Pesa Foundation installed a solar power system to reduce the cost of pumping water to the farm for irrigation.

Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya on Friday presided over the launch of solar power installation project at Nyalani Dam in Puma ward, Kinango sub-county, that is expected to resolve the long-standing electricity challenge for hundreds of farmers cultivating through irrigation.

The multimillion-shilling solar panel project funded by M-Pesa Foundation and Safaricom Foundation was described as a game-changer for the farmers who have had to stop farming due to persistent power shortage over the years.

"I wish to thank Safaricom sincerely for this landmark project. Farmers will from now on will be able to cultivate the over 100-acre land without interruption from lack of electricity," he said.

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“This project has been funded by the M-Pesa Foundation. It will ensure consistent power supply, reduce the cost of water pumping and ensure security in the farms."

M-Pesa Foundation Executive Director Les Baillie and Safaricom Foundation chairman Joseph Ogutu applauded the partnership between the company and the county government.

"This project now belongs to you residents. Take care of it because it will benefit you," said Baillie.

Governor Mvurya said the county's Kombani Fresh Produce and Wholesale Market will provide ready market for the produce from Nyalani, Mwakalanga and other dams constructed by his government across the county.

CECs Joanne Nyamasyo (Agriculture), Hemed Mwabudzo (Roads), Nassib Nyahi (Trade and Tourism), Saumu Beja (Land and Environment), Martin Kuya (Water) and other senior officers were present.

Nyalani dam irrigation scheme chairman Gatoka Leli and the farmers thanked the county government and praised Governor Mvurya for taking a front seat in reviving the once-collapsed irrigation project.

"We had given up hope due to the myriad of challenges but Governor Mvurya did everything to make sure this project is up and running," said Leli.

Mvurya assured the residents that an Early Childhood Development Education Centre (ECDE) will be constructed in the area as they had requested and their dispensary will receive drugs and staff.

"Nobody can separate me with Nyalani dam project. I was there the first day it was initiated," he said.

The governor noted that for decades, achieving food security in Kwale has been a conundrum saddling the growth of the county's economy.

However, he observed that since the inception of devolution, the county government has strived towards achieving sustainable agricultural productivity through the construction of multipurpose dams such as Mwakalanga, Nyango, Mtaa and Kizingo and  distribution of free hybrid seeds, livestock and training to farmers across the county.

He said with the completion of Kombani fresh produce wholesale market, surplus from the farms will find a ready market thereby promoting agribusiness.

“I want to acknowledge the good gesture from the M-Pesa Foundation led by the executive director Les Baillie and Safaricom Foundation for the solid and grand partnership with the county government that is transforming the lives of not only the residents at Nyalani but the county as a whole,” Mvurya said.

In 2014,  Kenya Red Cross Society with funding from the M-Pesa Foundation and the Kwale government implemented an integrated disaster risk reduction project to address food security, water supply, improved sanitation, hygiene awareness, nutrition awareness and health care interventions.

The community contributed to this intervention by making available 170 acres of land for irrigation.

M-Pesa Foundation gave over Sh207 million while the county government contributed Sh25 million towards the project that involved rehabilitation of Nyalani dam to attain a water storage capacity of  500 million litres  for irrigation, domestic and livestock use.

By 2015, the project had contributed to reduced vulnerability to drought for 2,500 direct and 10,000 indirect beneficiaries in Kinango sub county.