On Thursday 26 Feb, Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa broke ground on the K’obong’o Irrigation Project in Nyando Sub-county, Kisumu County.
He described the project as a major boost to food security and rural livelihoods.
The ceremony was attended by National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, Hungary’s Ambassador to Kenya Katalin Nyirati, Principal Secretary for Irrigation CPA Ephantus Kimotho, and Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Ochieng Owili, among other leaders.
Together with my cabinet colleague, FCPA Hon. John Mbadi Ng’ongo, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, and accompanied by H.E. Katalin Nyirati, Ambassador of Hungary to Kenya; CPA Ephantus Kimotho, Principal Secretary for Irrigation; various… pic.twitter.com/dgRLV5GNlG
— Eng. Eric Mugaa (@mugaa_eric) February 26, 2026
Funded at USD 5 million (approximately Sh650 million), the project will draw water from the Nyando River to irrigate 1,000 acres of farmland, directly benefiting 240 households.
Plans include upgrading the pumping station into a 500KWp grid-tied solar hybrid system, rehabilitating intake works, installing new pumps, strengthening riverbank protection and constructing a modern water distribution network.
However, the launch was momentarily overshadowed by a tense exchange captured on video, in which Mr Mugaa publicly questioned a site engineer over conflicting figures regarding the number of water pumps installed.
The engineer appeared uncertain as the Cabinet Secretary pressed for clarity on how many pumps were currently operational, how many were being installed, and how many were under rehabilitation.
“You cannot say there are three pumps,” Mr Mugaa is heard saying in the video.
“We are installing three pumps from Hungary, with one additional pump already being fitted, bringing the number to four for current operations, with room for upgrades. I have also been informed that one pump is under rehabilitation and another is in the process of installation, while one has already been commissioned. Beyond the two operational pumps here, that would bring the total to six active pumps, with one decommissioned,” he further queried.
These guys thought they were dealing with the Botanist who would congratulate them for optics only to be cornered by Engineer Mugaa. This is what you get by letting professionals lead Ministries instead of those donated experts who know nothing about cookies & types of oil. pic.twitter.com/O3phKj0oHP
— Yator Boss☚ (@Bossyator) February 27, 2026
The engineers present were put to task to explain what exactly was happening
Mugaa, an engineer by training and one of the youngest members of the Cabinet following his appointment in August 2024, has developed a reputation for closely scrutinising technical specifications and project costs.
A registered engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya and the Institution of Engineers of Kenya, he previously worked in water hydraulic modelling and treatment projects before joining government.
