Farmers across the country are expected to benefit from a Ksh32.5 billion World Bank-funded programme that will help them access water for farming, grow more crops and improve food production.
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho on Wednesday, November 11, said Kenya will soon receive Ksh32.5 billion from the lender to fund irrigation schemes and an additional Ksh269.9 million grant to support its implementation.
The PS announced the proposed funding after a consultative meeting with a World Bank delegation led by the bank's Director of Global Water Practice, Saroj Kumar Jha, in Nairobi.
“I held a consultative meeting with a World Bank Group delegation. The discussions focused on finalising the proposed $250 million IDA financing and $2 million grant,” Kimotho said.
According to Kimotho, the discussions focused on ongoing negotiations and the steps required to finalise the financing arrangements before the project moves into implementation.
He noted that the Ksh32.5 billion would be disbursed under the Kenya Resilient Irrigation for a Sustainable Economy (K-RISE) programme, while the Ksh259.9 million grant would be released under the Global Water Security and Sanitation Partnership (GWSP).
Kimotho said the programmes would give farmers a bigger role in developing and managing irrigation projects, helping them access reliable water supplies and increase agricultural production.
