{
  "id": 5793895,
  "title": "Over 1,440 farmers to benefit as Ruto launches irrigation project in Kajiado",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/over-1-440-farmers-to-benefit-as-ruto-launches-irrigation-project-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T15:03:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/over-1440-farmers-to-benefit-as-ruto-launches-irrigation-project-in-kajiado"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "President William Ruto inaugurated the Nguruman Block A Irrigation Project in Kajiado County, Kenya, highlighting its potential to boost food production, generate employment, and lessen farmers' dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Situated in Magadi Ward, Kajiado West Constituency, the project aims to open around 2,000 acres of land for dependable irrigation, benefiting approximately 1,440 farmers.\n\nDuring the launch on September 5, 2026, President Ruto emphasized that the enhanced irrigation infrastructure would enable year-round crop cultivation, bolster household incomes, and enhance food security. He also directed the rehabilitation of the cold storage facility at Nguruman Market and the enhancement of local roads to complement the irrigation investment. Better roads would facilitate the transportation of farm produce to markets, while the restoration of the cold storage facility would aid in preserving perishable products and reducing post-harvest losses.\n\nRuto stated that improved water access would allow farmers to transition away from relying on rain-fed agriculture and increase year-round production. The Nguruman Irrigation Project consists of two blocks—Block A, known as Entasopia, which was inaugurated by Ruto, and Block B, Oloibortoto, which has been completed. The project is intended to foster sustainable irrigated agriculture while boosting food production and household incomes in the arid region.\n\nCrop varieties anticipated to be cultivated under irrigation include okra, pawpaw, mangoes, bananas, kales, tomatoes, and maize, alongside other suitable crops for the area. The project will also aid livestock farmers through irrigated fodder production and integrated crop-livestock farming, fostering diversification of income sources, improved livestock productivity, and efficient utilization of available water and agricultural resources.\n\nAdditionally, the project will encompass river protection initiatives to stabilize riverbanks, reduce soil erosion, and mitigate flooding that could endanger farms, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The government asserts that the irrigation investment will enhance communities' resilience to drought and climate change impacts through sustainable water management.\n\nThe Nguruman Irrigation Project is in line with the government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which emphasizes food security, agricultural productivity, job creation, and increased household incomes. President Ruto was accompanied at the launch by Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Muga and Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kim.",
  "summary": "President William Ruto has launched the Nguruman Block A Irrigation Project in Kajiado County, a move the government says will boost food production, create jobs and reduce farmers’ reliance on rain-fed agriculture. The project, located in Magadi Ward, Kajiado West Constituency, is expected to open up about 2,000 acres of land to reliable irrigation and […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "Ruto announces Ksh5.6B road investment to open up Kajiado County",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/ruto-announces-ksh5-6b-road-investment-to-open-up-kajiado-county",
        "published": "2026-09-05T15:19:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}