Loima- January 9, 2025 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

The Department of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, in partnership with USAID STAWI, handed over agricultural projects worth Kshs 39.5M to farmers in Loima and Turkana South. This project will be overseen by SolarGen as the contractor.

The projects include two canal linings- 1068 Metres and 793 Metres that will be implemented in Kangalita and Lojokobwo in Loima Sub-County, and the construction of water conveyor and storage system set to be done in Lokwaliwa and Akigeno in Turkana South Sub-County.

The Director for Agriculture, Aaron Nanok asked the contractor to work closely with the Integrated Water Users Association (IWUA) leadership to ensure the completion of the project in time.

“The lining of the canal will reduce the loss of water through seepage enabling maximum delivery of water for crop production use,” he said.

The USAID STAWI team lead, Job Kitetu, said that the canal lining work is planned to be completed in 56 days as he reiterated the need for quality work by the contractor.

A six-member contract management committee was also constituted and tasked to work with the contractor for timely delivery.

Other county government officials present during the handover include, Jackson Ewat Acting Assistant Director, Irrigation and Land Reclamation, Samuel Erumu, Sub-County Agricultural Officer (SCAO) Turkana South, Lobei/Kotaruk Ward, and Acting Admin, Richard Lochipo.

Other USAID STAWI team members present included Zacheaus Okoth, (Water and Environmental Engineer) and Christine Kogo,(Procurement).