Ziwa dam boosts water security and irrigation in Uasin Gishu

Water resource development is taking centre stage in efforts to strengthen agricultural production and food security in Uasin Gishu County, as the Ziwa 2 Earth Dam Irrigation Project seeks to improve water storage and expand access to reliable irrigation supplies.

The project in Soy Constituency is designed to harness and store water for agricultural use, reducing farmers’ dependence on rainfall and helping them maintain crop production during dry periods. By increasing the availability of stored water, the initiative aims to address one of the major challenges facing farming communities: unreliable water supplies amid changing climatic conditions.

President William Ruto has commissioned the project as part of broader government efforts to expand irrigation and improve the productive use of water resources. The development is expected to bring 500 acres of farmland under irrigation and benefit approximately 1,000 farmers.

The rehabilitation works, which began in June 2025, involved desilting the earth dam and rebuilding its embankment to improve water storage. The reservoir has a reported capacity of one million cubic metres, providing an important source of water for agricultural activities in the surrounding area. Solar-powered pumping systems have also been installed to facilitate water distribution to farms.

The project illustrates the importance of water harvesting and storage infrastructure in managing seasonal water availability. By capturing and retaining water for use when rainfall is insufficient, earth dams can help communities improve agricultural resilience, reduce exposure to drought and make better use of available water resources.

Through irrigation, farmers are expected to diversify their crops beyond traditional rain-fed production. Planned crops include maize, beans, tomatoes, onions, kale, spinach and passion fruits, creating opportunities for increased food production and more consistent farm incomes.

The National Irrigation Authority has projected that participating farmers could earn an average of KSh200,000 per acre annually through two cropping seasons. However, achieving these benefits will depend on efficient water allocation, sustainable reservoir management, reliable irrigation systems and access to markets.

Beyond water storage, the project includes plans to strengthen farmer participation in managing the resource. The establishment of an Irrigation Water Users Association is expected to support coordinated water distribution, maintenance of irrigation infrastructure and responsible use of stored water.

The government is also planning a second phase to extend irrigation coverage by an additional 2,000 acres and serve another 4,000 households, potentially increasing demand for effective water resource management.

The Ziwa 2 project therefore highlights the connection between water conservation, irrigation development and rural economic growth. Its long-term impact will depend not only on the availability of stored water but also on protecting the resource, minimising losses and ensuring that farmers use it efficiently to sustain agricultural production.

By investing in water harvesting and irrigation infrastructure, the project seeks to turn water availability into a foundation for stronger food security, climate resilience and improved livelihoods in Uasin Gishu County.