The rehabilitation of the Mutaitin-Matura water pan in Kajiado West Constituency is now 85 percent complete, bringing renewed hope to residents grappling with drought, food insecurity, and unreliable water access.
Once finished, the upgraded 60,000-cubic-metre facility is expected to support households with sustainable water supply for domestic use, livestock, and irrigation.
The project is being implemented by the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) under the State Department for Irrigation, and forms part of President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritizes food security and climate resilience.
During a recent inspection tour, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho emphasized the strategic importance of the water pan in strengthening community resilience and improving livelihoods. “Projects like this provide sustainable solutions to drought challenges while empowering communities with reliable water for homes, livestock, and farms,” he said. “Investing in such infrastructure helps residents adapt to climate change, boost food production, and improve overall living standards.”
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The area MP George Sunkuiya welcomed the initiative, noting that water pans play a vital role in water harvesting and storage, especially in arid regions. “They reduce the burden of long distances in search of water, particularly for women and school-going children,” he said.
NIA is rolling out several other water projects across Kajiado County. These include 16 community water pans with a combined storage capacity of 1.13 million cubic metres, capable of irrigating 756 acres. The Authority has also constructed 357 household water pans under the Household Irrigation Water Storage Project, supporting 701 acres, and is developing seven smallholder irrigation schemes expected to bring 8,650 acres under production once complete.
By Masaki Enock
