The Kenyan government has initiated a project to rehabilitate and expand Mengit Dam in Nakuru County, aiming to put 600 acres of farmland under irrigation. The project, located in Nyota Ward of Kuresoi North, will increase the dam's storage capacity from 150,000 cubic meters to approximately 400,000 cubic meters. This expansion will enable the distribution of water to farms through a planned water reticulation system.
According to Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, the project will help farmers maintain production during dry periods and reduce reliance on unpredictable rainfall. The expanded water infrastructure will support the production of high-value crops and integrated crop and livestock farming. This initiative aims to create opportunities for households to increase farm productivity and incomes.
The project was inspected by government leaders, including Head of Public Service Felix Koskei and PS Kimotho, on September 28, 2026. Koskei commended the State Department for Irrigation for rehabilitating and redesigning existing dams to meet current agricultural and water management needs. He emphasized that the Mengit Dam project will provide farmers with a more reliable water supply, particularly during drought.
The expanded dam and irrigation system are expected to create employment and income opportunities beyond farming. These opportunities will arise from activities such as agricultural input supply, farm services, produce handling, and marketing. The project is part of the broader Mau Forest Complex conservation programme, which links improved livelihoods around the forest to efforts to protect the ecosystem.
The initiative is also part of the government's measures to address drought impacts and improve food security under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The project will support agricultural extension services and improved farming practices. Additionally, the government plans to establish drip-irrigated kitchen gardens in schools to improve nutrition and promote efficient use of water.
The inspection was attended by various national and county government officials, including Principal Secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Aurelia Rono and Nakuru Woman Representative Liza Chelule. The officials demonstrated the government's commitment to collaborative efforts to enhance agricultural productivity and water management in the region.
The rehabilitation and expansion of Mengit Dam are expected to benefit over 1,000 households in Kuresoi North. The project will not only improve agricultural productivity but also contribute to the conservation of the Mau Forest Complex ecosystem. Key stakeholders will continue to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the project.
Key points
- More than 1,000 households in Kuresoi North, Nakuru County, will benefit from the rehabilitation and expansion of Mengit Dam.
- The project aims to put 600 acres of farmland under irrigation and increase the dam's storage capacity to approximately 400,000 cubic meters.
- The expanded water infrastructure will support the production of high-value crops and integrated crop and livestock farming.
