The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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President William Ruto has announced that the construction of 50 mega dams will enable irrigation across 1.5 million acres in northern and coastal Kenya, transforming these areas into major food production hubs.
Speaking in Masalani, Ijara Constituency, Garissa County, during the wedding of Mohammed Noordin Mohamed Haji, son of NIS Director-General Noordin Haji, the President said the irrigation initiative will turn previously low-potential lands into high-yield agricultural zones.
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“In our plan to bring 2.5 million acres under irrigation, 1.5 million will be in Northern Kenya and the Coast,” he stated.
Ruto noted that the programme aims to strengthen food security and position Kenya as a net exporter of agricultural produce. One flagship project, the High Grand Falls Dam on the Tana River in Tharaka-Nithi and Kitui counties, will supply water to Garissa, enabling irrigation over 300,000–400,000 acres.
“For decades, only 15 percent of our land with rainfall has been used for farming. It’s time to expand irrigation to the remaining 85 percent,” he said.
On infrastructure, the President highlighted the 410-km Lamu–Ijara–Garissa–Garbatula Road, now 50 percent complete, and pledged to finish the 750-km Isiolo–Mandera Road, bringing total road construction in the North Eastern region to 1,100 km.
“We built 22,000 km of roads in 60 years; my plan is to add 28,000 km more to connect every part of Kenya,” he said.
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President William Ruto launches the construction of the 376-unit Masalani Affordable Housing Project, Ijara Constituency, Garissa County, on November 29, 2025. Photo/PCS
In education, Ruto noted that the national budget rose from KSh490 billion in 2021 to KSh700 billion this year, accounting for 30 percent of national spending. This investment has supported the construction of 23,000 classrooms, 1,600 laboratories, the hiring of 100,000 teachers, and expanded funding for universities and colleges, aiming to equip Kenyans with skills for first-world status.
Ruto emphasized that North Eastern Kenya will not be left behind, highlighting the region’s contribution to his broad-based political alliance and victories in recent by-elections.
Health CS Aden Duale thanked the President for restoring dignity to North Eastern residents through improved access to national services.
Other leaders present included Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Governors Nathif Jama Adam and Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir, Senators Oburu Odinga and Ledama Olekina, and several local elected officials.
