KVDA Invests Sh1.4 Billion in West Pokot Water Projects, Distributes 30,000 Mango Seedlings

The Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has launched major water and irrigation projects in West Pokot County alongside the distribution of mango seedlings, in a move aimed at improving livelihoods, enhancing food security, and strengthening climate resilience in arid and semi-arid lands. The projects include the commissioning of boreholes in Kosholoi and Kimanau villages, the launch of the Pachu water pan, and the distribution of 30,000 mango seedlings under the Weiwei Irrigation Scheme.

The authority has also provided 55 solar-powered water pumps valued at Sh9 million to support farming activities across the region. Speaking during the launch in Sigor Constituency, KVDA Acting Managing Director Moses Kipchumba said the authority, operating under the Ministry of East African Community, ASAL and Regional Development, is committed to transforming livelihoods through sustainable water and agricultural projects.

Mr Kipchumba said KVDA has implemented more than 33 development projects across West Pokot, focusing on improving access to clean water for both domestic and agricultural use.

Boreholes delivering clean water for households

At Kasholoi, the authority has launched a borehole producing over 5,000 litres of clean water per hour. Mr Kipchumba noted that the water has been tested and confirmed safe for domestic use and will significantly improve the quality of life for residents in an area that has historically faced acute water scarcity during dry seasons.

He added that the authority is working closely with communities to promote food security and environmental conservation, including the distribution of fruit seedlings to restore degraded landscapes, particularly along the fragile escarpments that are prone to erosion.

“These interventions will enhance nutrition, improve food security, and create income-generating opportunities through fruit farming,” Mr Kipchumba said.

Solar pumps enable year-round farming

Farmers are also being supported with capacity-building programmes and solar-powered irrigation systems to enable year-round farming through river water abstraction. The solar pumps are expected to reduce reliance on diesel-powered pumps, cutting operational costs for smallholders who have struggled to irrigate their crops during prolonged dry spells.

Since 2023, KVDA has invested Sh1.4 billion in development projects in West Pokot County, benefiting more than 200,000 residents through initiatives such as the Weiwei Irrigation Scheme. That scheme has become a flagship project for the authority, demonstrating how coordinated water management can transform ASAL regions into productive agricultural zones.

Government commitment to marginalised areas

KVDA Chairman Mark Chesergon said the authority is committed to ensuring effective implementation of government development projects to improve livelihoods in ASAL regions. He said the government’s goal is to ensure that residents in marginalised areas live dignified lives comparable to other parts of the country through access to water, food production, and income-generating activities.

Mr Chesergon noted that for decades, communities in West Pokot have endured water shortages that limited their farming potential and exposed them to food insecurity. The current investments are designed to change that reality permanently.

Local leaders welcome interventions

Sigor Constituency MP Peter Lochakapong welcomed the projects, noting that they have significantly eased water shortages in the region. He urged residents to take ownership of the infrastructure and to use the mango seedlings and irrigation support to diversify their farming activities beyond traditional subsistence crops.

The MP also called on KVDA to extend similar interventions to other parts of the constituency that remain underserved, particularly areas where women and children still walk long distances in search of water.

For residents of Kosholoi, Kimanau, and surrounding villages, the launch represents a turning point. Access to clean water and irrigation technology means families can now grow food throughout the year, while mango orchards offer a path to steady household income. Whether the momentum can be sustained will depend on continued funding and community stewardship of the new assets.