William Ruto's government unveils ambitious irrigation plan to double irrigated land, boost food production
via Tuko6 min read
Kenya's government has launched an ambitious irrigation roadmap to transform agriculture, increase food production, and strengthen climate resilience. The plan aims to more than double the area under irrigation from 664,000 acres in 2021/2022 to 1.29 million acres by 2027/2028. This expansion is projected to significantly increase water availability for farming, create jobs, improve household incomes, and support the President William Ruto government's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Principal Secretary for Irrigation Ephantus Kimotho stated that irrigated maize production is expected to rise from 200,000 bags to over 5 million 90kg bags. The Galana Kulalu Food Security Project is anticipated to produce over 14 million bags of maize annually once fully operational. The plan also targets a nearly threefold increase in paddy rice production to 700,000 metric tonnes by 2027 through modernization of irrigation schemes and strategic infrastructure investments. The government expects to connect over 100,000 farmers to irrigation water through community schemes and benefit another 10,000 through farmer-led projects, with 50 community irrigation schemes already completed and 86 more under construction.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
Ugandan-born New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani has garnered mixed reactions after a video surfaced online showing him shouting 'one term'. The 34-year-old, who made history in 2025 by becoming the first Muslim, first South Asian, and one of the youngest mayors of New York City, was captured in the video repeating the phrase after being prompted by a group of ladies. Mamdani's 2025 mayoral campaign focused on housing affordability, worker rights, and economic justice. His actions come a year after William Ruto, whose government is opposed by those using the 'one term' slogan, dismissed assertions that he would only serve a single term.
Must ReadHealth Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale announced that 12 Kenyan counties are at high risk for Ebola transmission due to the movement of people and goods along the Northern Corridor transport network. The identified counties include Nairobi, Mombasa, Uasin Gishu, Busia, Kisumu, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, Turkana, Homa Bay, and Migori. Duale stated that 29 counties have designated isolation facilities as part of the country's Ebola preparedness. Kenyatta National Hospital is establishing an 8-bed isolation and treatment unit, and the National Police Service Hospital has 49 beds ready for activation to support surge response efforts.
Must ReadA Nakuru court has ordered the detention of nine suspects for an additional 21 days in connection with the fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Academy. Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot ruled on Wednesday, June 3, that the suspects will remain at the Nakuru Children's Remand Home to allow investigators more time to probe allegations of murder and arson. The court acknowledged the constitutional right to bail but noted it is not absolute, especially when compelling reasons are presented. The prosecution bears the responsibility of demonstrating why an accused person should not be released. Factors considered by the court included the serious nature of the alleged offenses, the strength of the prosecution's case, the character of the accused, and the potential for witness interference. The case is scheduled for mention on Wednesday, June 24, for an update on the investigation's progress.
Must ReadLawyer Danstan Omari has commented on the case of eight suspects linked to a fatal fire at Utumishi Girls Academy that resulted in the deaths of 16 students. Despite public calls for immediate imprisonment, Omari highlighted the constitutional rights of the accused children. He cited Article 53 of the Constitution, which outlines children's rights, including protection from abuse and the principle that detention should be a last resort for the shortest appropriate period. He also emphasized Article 532, stating that a child's best interests are paramount. Omari further referenced Article 49 regarding the rights of arrested persons, such as the right to be informed of the reason for arrest, the right to remain silent, and the right to legal representation, which the government would provide free of charge. He noted that the students have a right to reasonable bond or bail unless there are compelling reasons for continued detention. Omari explained that if charged with an offense punishable by a fine or imprisonment for not more than six months, the students would not be remanded. He also stated that their cases would not be heard in a public court, and media would not be allowed to capture their faces or names. Regarding the possibility of the suspects going free, Omari argued that evidence obtained from CCTV cameras in their sleeping area might be excluded due to a violation of their right to privacy under Article 31. He quoted the constitution, stating that evidence obtained