Residents of Serbit area in Pokot South Sub County, West Pokot County, are set to benefit from an irrigation program funded by African Development Bank in partnership with the County government.
The Kaminia irrigation project is set to benefit the community that has been depending on relief food and will be implemented by Drought Resilience & Sustainable Livelihoods (DRSLP).
The project which had stalled for more than five years is expected to start off as soon following negotiations between West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo, and the team from Drought Resilience and Sustainable Livelihoods (DRSLP) and community representatives from Sebit area.
The five-year project worth Kshs. 300M was proposed in the year 2012 and was set to be implemented between 2013-2018.
Earlier on the project met resistance from the locals living around the intake point who pointed out that they had little to benefit from it.
Esther Wambua-Project Coordinator, DRSLP explained that major steps would have been made had there been an intervention and political goodwill to sort the standoff experienced earlier on.
“When the contractor was ready to start work at the site, he received too much hostility from the locals. This not only posed a challenge but put the project in jeopardy,” said Wambui.
However, Governor Lonyangapuo pointed out that his government is in full support of the project and would visit the site next week.
“Such projects are important to our people and we cannot let it drag anymore. My administration will ensure political goodwill to our development partners,” he said.
The Governor pointed out that his manifesto is anchored in fostering food security through irrigation; therefore he cannot afford to sabotage such a project.
He pledged to fully support the parties involved to bring the project to completion within the remaining time frame and called on the community to support the project.