The Cabinet Secretary for Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, Eric Mugaa, has asked Parliament to reinstate a Sh2.8 billion development budget that was slashed from the 2025/26 Budget Estimates for the State Department for Irrigation.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation Committee on Monday, Mugaa said the budget cuts would significantly affect key irrigation projects across the country.
He was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho.
The session, chaired by Marakwet East MP Kangogo Bowen, was part of the committee’s ongoing review of revenue and spending plans for the next financial year.
In their presentation, the Ministry revealed that the State Department’s recurrent budget had been reduced by Sh91 million — from Sh1.418 billion to Sh1.327 billion.
The development budget was cut by Sh837 million, lowering it from Sh16.944 billion to Sh16.107 billion.
PS Kimotho said the overall reduction compared to the 2024/25 financial year totals Sh2.8 billion. He warned that the cuts would derail critical projects, including the rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation schemes.
Among the worst-hit is the Bura Irrigation Scheme, which has lost Sh250 million, and various Community Irrigation Projects that have been slashed by Sh436 million.
Kimotho said the cuts threaten 18 ongoing projects, potentially reducing the total area under irrigation by 9,130 acres and denying over 19,500 Kenyans direct job opportunities.
He added that community irrigation initiatives are essential to supporting the government’s County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs).
He also noted that progress is being made in the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, where private investors are expected to begin farming on 5,400 acres starting 19th May 2025.
Other projects facing budget cuts include the Mwea Irrigation Development Project, which has been reduced by Sh200 million; the National Expanded Irrigation Programme, which has lost Sh850 million; and land reclamation efforts aimed at building climate resilience and improving livelihoods, which have been slashed by Sh250 million.
Similar concerns were raised by Principal Secretary for Blue Economy and Fisheries, Betsy Njagi, who reported a Sh1.4 billion reduction to her department’s budget — now lowered from Sh9.631 billion to Sh8.230 billion.
When asked about the department’s progress despite funding challenges, PS Njagi highlighted the construction of 15 new fish landing sites under the current administration. She described the achievement as “unprecedented” and a sign of the sector’s importance.
Committee Chairperson Bowen assured both departments that the committee would take up the matter with the National Treasury.
“We will push for the restoration of key funding,” said Bowen. “Irrigation and the blue economy are crucial to food security, job creation, and national development. They must be well-supported.”
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