01/09/2026
Kajiado County is characterized by low and unreliable rainfall and remains highly vulnerable to recurrent droughts and extreme weather events. For communities whose livelihoods largely depend on livestock including beef cattle, sheep and goats prolonged dry spells can have far reaching consequences, affecting pasture availability, livestock health, household incomes and food security.
Recognizing the central role of water in building resilience, the State Department for Irrigation is prioritizing strategic investments in water infrastructure to increase water availability for livestock watering, fodder production and horticultural development.
As part of this intervention, the State Department has prioritized the development of three strategic water storage facilities in Kajiado County: Empunkaiyat Dam, Iloshon Dam and Oiti Ngama Dam.
The proposed investments are intended to provide communities with a more reliable water resource base while creating opportunities to diversify agricultural production, strengthen livelihoods and enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change.
Today, Irrigation Secretary Mr. Tanui K Joel, accompanied by senior engineers from the State Department for Irrigation, undertook an assessment of the proposed dam sites. The team also engaged local communities and prospective beneficiaries to understand their priorities and prepare for the commencement of the planned works.
The development of the three water storage facilities is expected to deliver significant benefits to communities in the targeted areas. Improved access to water will support livestock production, facilitate fodder development and create opportunities for horticultural production, while contributing to improved food and nutrition security.
For smallholder farmers and livestock keepers, these investments will provide an important foundation for increasing household incomes and reducing vulnerability to the effects of climate variability.
The interventions are aligned with the Governmentโs broader commitment to investing in water infrastructure as a catalyst for agricultural transformation, particularly in ASAL counties where water scarcity remains a major constraint to economic development.
By expanding water storage capacity and improving access to reliable water resources, the State Department for Irrigation is supporting communities to transition from vulnerability to resilience and from subsistence production to more productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
The Government remains committed to expanding water access, strengthening climate resilience and transforming Kenyaโs ASALs into productive and sustainable agricultural economies, ensuring that water becomes a foundation for improved livelihoods, enhanced food security and inclusive economic growth.