Capacity Building and Empowerment of Communities Through Development of Irrigation Schemes in Kenya

The goal of this study was to explore the effect of Irrigations Schemes Development (as rooted in; Vision 2030, Kenya Big Four Agenda, ASTGS and National Irrigation Authority Strategic Plan 2019-2023) on capacity building and empowerment of communities. Specifically, the study sought to access the effect of irrigation scheme development on; Education and Training, Clean Water and Sanitation, Youth Access to Funds, Housing Type, Food Security, Job Diversity, Access to Health Care Services, Changing Demand, Irrigation Orientation and Water Harvest. Descriptive design was used as a road map of the study. A sample size of 395 respondents was drawn from a target population of 35,041 households living around the irrigation scheme in Mara Region, Tharaka-Nithi County-Kenya, subjected to a 95% confidence level. Convenience sampling was adopted to drum up participants. Primary data was collected using interview method. A semi-structured interview guide with Likert scale rating was used as a checklist. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to analyze the data. Study results indicated that Development of Irrigation Schemes contributed to capacity building and empowerment of Kenyan communities by; facilitating access to clean water and sanitation within homesteads (77%) enabling sufficient food and balanced diet throughout the year (197; 56%). Statistically, the study showed that infrastructure was significantly associated with capacity building (ρ=0.03). In addition, the irrigation scheme improved the lifestyle of the locals through access to health care services and comfortable housing. From the income earned from farming, out of 395, only 105 (30%) and 47 (12%) could afford to educate their families to secondary and tertiary level respectively. According to the study, an acre of irrigated land employees an average of eight people on a full-time basis. The study highlighted challenges in water storage and maintenance which can be addressed by involving Kenyan government agencies, County government agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders in the development and provision of sufficient water storage facilities. From the results finding there is need for comprehensive research within the irrigation scheme through agricultural research and development to address the concerns of the future effects of chemical use on the health of the locals. The study recommends that local authorities renew the engagement of agricultural extension workers. Additionally, to counter the bargaining power of middlemen, farmer welfare organizational structures should be operationalized.