HOMA BAY — The parched earth of Karachuonyo is set to drink its fill. In a decisive move to secure the region's food sovereignty, the government has formally transferred the Kimira Oluch Irrigation Scheme to the National Irrigation Authority. This handover, overseen by Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho during an extensive tour on Friday, signals a definitive end to the era of rain-fed uncertainty for Nyanza's farmers.

Food security in the Lake Region has long been held hostage by the vagaries of weather, with erratic rains often leading to crop failure and poverty. The Kimira Oluch project, covering a gazetted area of over 4,341 acres, represents a paradigm shift. It is not merely about water; it is about wealth creation. By stabilizing the water supply, the scheme empowers farmers to engage in high-value horticulture and continuous crop cycles, effectively turning subsistence plots into commercial enterprises.

Billions in the Soil

The investment here is substantial. The transition to national management brings with it the technical muscle and budgetary support of the central government. PS Kimotho's inspection focused on the immediate interventions required to optimize the infrastructure—fixing intake points, clearing canals, and ensuring that the water reaches the last mile. This "plumbing" of the agricultural economy is unglamorous but essential work.

Local leaders, including MP Adipo Okuome, have hailed the move as a game-changer. For the residents of Homa Bay, the sight of functioning irrigation canals is a promise of resilience. It means that when the skies fail, the land will still yield. It means school fees paid from tomato harvests and nutrition secured from local vegetables.

• The Operational Shift: Under the Irrigation Act of 2019, placing such large-scale schemes under national purview ensures standardized maintenance and operation, avoiding the decay that often plagues county-run projects due to budget constraints.
• The Lake Effect: Located along the shores of Lake Victoria, the scheme leverages the region's most abundant natural resource. It is a model of how the lake's water can be harnessed to transform the hinterland, rather than just watching it flow into the Nile.

A New Economic Dawn

As the pumps roar to life and the gravity flow systems are calibrated, Kimira Oluch stands as a beacon of what is possible. It is proof that with the right investment and governance, the arid belts of Nyanza can be transformed into the breadbaskets of the west.