Kenyas' irrigation potential: ( a case study of the hola irrigation ii and settlement scheme in Tana River District

Abstract

It is the aim of the Kenya Government to transform Kenya into an economically prosperous country, by identifying and implementing policies that will spur economic recovery thus leading to economic growth and development. Although the agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, about 80% of our total land surface is classified as arid and semi arid lands hence the need of putting this land to good use through land reclamation and irrigation. The Hola irrigation and settlement scheme which was started by the colonial government, collapsed in 1989. The study investigated the cause of the failure of the scheme and whether the scheme is still economically viable. We used Economic internal rate of return as an estimation technique.in finding out the economic viability of the scheme and then subjected the results to sensitivity analysis. The study found out that the River Tana changed its course leaving the pumping station on a dry river bed,leading to the collapse of the scheme. The results of the Economic internal Rate of return and subsequent sensitivity analysis showed that the scheme is still economically stable. The study also noted the need for the Government of creating an enabling environment for irrigation development, through the formulation of a National irrigation and drainage policy, and restructuring of the irrigation sub-sector.