- Government releases Ksh400 million to revive the stalled Mwea irrigation canal project.
- The expanded scheme targets an additional 10,000 acres, with half already under irrigation.
- Farmers anticipate reliable water supplies as Kenya seeks to reduce its reliance on imported rice.
The government has allocated Ksh 400 million towards the completion of the stalled Mwea Irrigation Scheme water canal project in Kirinyaga County, a move expected to expand rice production by an additional 10,000 acres.
The project, which was launched nearly seven years ago, has experienced prolonged delays, leaving farmers in the Mutithi section struggling with unreliable water supplies and threatening agricultural productivity in the area.
Speaking during a meeting with farmers, National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Managing Director Charles Muasya said the latest funding would facilitate the completion of critical infrastructure works and ensure reliable water supply to farmers in the expanded irrigation area.
Muasya said approximately 5,000 acres out of the targeted 10,000 acres had already been brought under irrigation, with the remaining 5,000 acres expected to benefit as construction progresses.
He noted that the authority had engaged farmers to agree on a way forward, expressing optimism that water would reach the entire Mutithi extension area by April next year, subject to favourable weather conditions.
“The government has allocated Ksh 400 million this financial year, and we need an additional Ksh 500 million in the next financial year to complete the project. With the current allocation, we will be able to ensure that water reaches the farmers,” said Muasya.
He added that completing the canal project would complement the construction of Thiba Dam, which has already been commissioned and is providing sufficient water to support irrigation activities within the scheme.
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Muasya said Kenya consumes more than one million metric tonnes of rice annually but produces approximately 350,000 metric tonnes, forcing the country to import about 700,000 metric tonnes to bridge the deficit.
He observed that expanding irrigation in Mwea would significantly boost local rice production, reduce dependence on imports, lower the country’s import bill and help conserve foreign exchange.
Meanwhile, Mwea West Deputy County Commissioner Kennedy Nyamboka urged farmers and other stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful completion of the project.
Nyamboka said the government was committed to ensuring that all stakeholders benefited from the investment, calling on farmers to resolve existing differences and cooperate with relevant authorities.
He noted that increased rice production would stimulate economic growth in the Mwea region, creating opportunities for young people and other groups whose livelihoods depend on agriculture.
Farmers welcomed the Ksh 400 million allocation, expressing hope that the funding would finally resolve years of uncertainty and enable them to cultivate their land without the persistent challenge of searching for irrigation water.
The completion of the project is expected to strengthen Mwea’s position as one of Kenya’s leading rice producing regions while contributing to national food security and reducing the country’s reliance on imported rice.
By Obegi Malack
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