Smallholder farmers in Kirinyaga County are reaping the rewards of the Kandeki Irrigation Project, a transformative initiative launched in July 2023. Covering over 225 acres and directly benefiting 246 farmers, the project has already enabled farmers to harvest up to three times a year. A public-private partnership between the Kenya Government, Equity Bank, and the German Government through the KfW Development Fund, the initiative combines water provision, financing, and capacity-building to strengthen agricultural productivity and household incomes.
Speaking during the commissioning, Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Eric Mugaa highlighted that Kandeki provides reliable water for smallholder farms, linking farmers to markets and agribusinesses, and promoting modern irrigation and crop management techniques. Farmers such as Daniel Muriuki and Jane Wanjiku have diversified crops, integrated livestock, and adopted sustainable farming practices, enabling higher yields and increased profits. The initiative has also created employment opportunities, with farmers hiring casual workers and agronomists to optimize production.
County officials, including Deputy Governor David Githanda, emphasized the long-term impact of the project on youth engagement and agribusiness development. By encouraging cooperatives, supporting market access through infrastructure like the Sagana Industrial Park, and offering training in modern farming techniques, the project is transforming Kirinyaga’s agriculture from subsistence to a thriving commercial enterprise. Stakeholders, including the German Ambassador Sebastian Groth and Equity Bank CEO Dr. James Mwangi, underscored the importance of monitoring, sustainability, and scaling up similar initiatives nationwide to strengthen Kenya’s agricultural backbone.