Irrigation project to increase residents’ income

By James Omoro

Regional Development PS Carey Orege has called on Homa Bay residents to embrace a Sh4 billion irrigation project in the area.

Orege said the Kimira Oluch project, currently under construction, would improve their livelihoods if they utilise it appropriately.

The PS said the project would enable Homa Bay County to become a food basket not only for its residents but also countrywide.

He said the Government was committed to ensuring that development projects are devolved to all parts of the country.

Orege was speaking during a meeting on development projects in the region.

He said most residents were concentrating on building bars and hotels instead of diversifying their investment.

Orege said South Nyanza had good roads network and electricity that would improve living standards if used efficiently.

“The genesis of any development in any country is infrastructure. I believe that the rehabilitation of many roads in this region is going to open up development,” Orege said.

Devolved government

However, he said  this could only be realised if the locals utilised the available infrastructure well.

The PS urged the residents to embrace trade and agriculture as their main sources of income.

“There are many business activities which can contribute significantly to the economy especially now that the devolved government is coming to force,” he added.

Irrigation Project Manager Nelson Korir told The Standard that the major civil works are already complete. He added that farmers who have land along major canals could start using the project, since the canals already had water.

“We are trying to hasten the construction so that we hand over the project to farmers as early as possible next year,” Korir said.