President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious plan to construct 50 mega dams across the country as part of efforts to expand irrigation, boost food production and unlock economic growth, particularly in Northern Kenya.
Speaking during the 63rd Madaraka Day celebrations in Wajir County on Monday, Ruto said the government also plans to build 200 medium and small dams and thousands of micro dams to address water shortages and support agricultural production.
The President said the projects are expected to bring 2.5 million additional acres under irrigation and food production within the next five to seven years.
"My administration has set the ambition to build 50 mega dams across the country, 200 medium and small dams and thousands of micro dams, projects that will bring 2.5 million additional acres under irrigation and food production and export production within the next five to seven years," Ruto said.
He said water infrastructure will play a critical role in unlocking the economic potential of Northern Kenya and other regions that have historically faced challenges related to drought and limited access to water.
According to the President, Northern Kenya should no longer be viewed through the lens of scarcity but as a region with enormous opportunities in agriculture, livestock production, renewable energy, trade and logistics.
"For too long, Northern Kenya was viewed through the lens of scarcity. Today, we recognise its immense potential in renewable energy, livestock production, irrigated agriculture, trade, logistics and regional commerce," Ruto said.
He noted that the region's strategic location bordering Ethiopia and Somalia places it at the centre of regional trade and connectivity.
Ruto said several large-scale water projects have been prioritised under the government's development agenda, including the Bute Dam in Wajir, the High Grand Falls Dam on the Tana River, a mega dam on River Daua in Mandera, projects along the Ewaso Nyiro Basin in Isiolo, the Siki Canal in Garissa, Lowaat in Turkana, Narosura in Narok and Arror in Elgeyo Marakwet.
He said the projects are intended to support irrigation, improve food security and create economic opportunities in counties that have for years struggled with inadequate water infrastructure.
"Each of these dams is a statement that no county is too remote to deserve investment and no river too far to be harnessed for the good of Kenya," Ruto said.
The President said increased access to water would support industry, strengthen resilience against climate shocks and expand opportunities for communities that depend on agriculture and livestock for their livelihoods.
He linked the projects to the government's broader Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, saying they are designed to ensure that all parts of the country contribute to and benefit from national development.
Ruto said Northern Kenya occupies a strategic position along the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Corridor and between the Lamu and Turkana oil frontiers, making it an important gateway to regional and international markets.
He said investments in water infrastructure would help transform areas that have long been regarded as marginal into productive economic zones.
"What was once called remote will become strategic and what was once neglected will become indispensable to our food security, our prosperity and the future we are all building together," Ruto said.
The President said the government's development agenda seeks to ensure that every Kenyan enjoys the benefits of freedom through access to opportunities, services and infrastructure regardless of where they live.
"For decades, some parts of our country were told they were too distant, too dry, too difficult or too marginal to matter. Today, from Wajir, Kenya rejects that thinking," Ruto said.
He added that no county is too remote to deserve development and no citizen too distant to deserve dignity and equal opportunity.
