Abstract:
The primary objective of this study was to spell out the effect of the Economic Stimulus Program on the performance of irrigations schemes in Kenya. Agriculture remains a pillar in Kenya’s Economic growth by creating a productive populace which can contribute to the economy positively. However, government’s support to irrigation schemes in an effort to provide food security in the country has not seen significant improvement in this key sector. Despite government financing irrigation schemes through its ESP the situation appears to be far from salvage with food shortage being on the rise as the population continues to increase creating a significant margin that is alarming. The specific objectives of this study were: to determine the effect of financing on the performance of irrigation schemes in Kenya, to determine the effect of increasing area under irrigation on performance of irrigation schemes in Kenya and to determine the effect of capacity building on the performance of irrigation schemes in Kenya. The study employed a moderated multiple equation to test for moderating effect of political interference. The study adopted a descriptive research design which enabled the researcher to describe state of affair at the time of the study. Of the questionnaires received from respondents 540 were usable after which referencing, coding, entering, cleaning was carried out for analysis using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 21.0). The data was presented in form of tables and graphs. From the findings, it was established that funding through the ESP, area under irrigation and skills for operation of the irrigation schemes positively and greatly affected the performance of irrigation schemes in Kenya. However, the study found out that political interference negatively affected performance of irrigation schemes. The study also identified the program’s shortcomings and therefore proposed measures that should be put in place to avert the inefficiencies. The study recommends that the government should formulate policy on irrigation and technology that is supportive to the development and growth of small scale dry-land farming to manage extreme condition that result to food shortage that ultimately translates to hunger and loss of lives.
