The national government through the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation, is constructing 13 earth dams and more than 400 household water pans in the six wards across Kibwezi West constituency.
Among them, four earth dams which include Yimwea, Syumile and Sekeleni in Nguumo Ward and Matilu dam in Nguu Masumba are already complete.
The cost of each dam is estimated between Sh20m to Sh30m.
These projects are being implemented by the National Irrigation Authority as part of the plan to accelerate the Irrigation expansion in Kenya in line with the Big 4 Agenda on Food and Nutrition Security.
Upon completion, the Earth Dams and Water pans will ensure food security by supporting the provision of water for small-scale Irrigation to local farmers.
Moreover, citizens will get access to clean drinking water for their domestic purposes a step towards eradication of water-borne diseases.
Job creation will also be tackled thus improving income generation amongst farmers and business people.
James Mutuku, a resident of Syumile in Nguumo, said that the earth dam is a plus to them as farmers because it will help them irrigate their crops even after the rains.
"Water has always been a rare commodity in Ukambani but now it's a great joy to see how Mwengi has positively turned around the dry narrative to Wetland, our wives will never be idle even during the dry season," quoted Mutuku.
Joyce Mwinzi, a mother and a farmer in Makindu said that the water collected will help boost several projects within their homesteads.
"Weatherman announced that the rains will be abnormally short so the earth dams and water pans will help keep the waterway long after the rains disappear which I strongly believe our living standards will go high," noted Joyce.
