Mwea Member of Parliament Mary Maingi has appealed to the national government to waive a Sh120 million debt owed by rice farmers in her constituency, warning that the financial burden has continued to drain producers and stall growth in the sector.
Speaking during President William Ruto’s visit to Kirinyaga, Maingi said the debt, accumulated since 2017 under the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), has left farmers struggling to sustain production amid delayed payments and rising economic pressures. “I’m requesting a waiver of National Irrigation Authority bill of Sh120 million, which has been accumulating since 2017,” she told the President.
The legislator noted that the debt has weighed heavily on farmers already grappling with high costs of production and urged the government to step in with relief measures. She further called for expanded irrigation infrastructure and provision of farm resources to support rice cultivation in Mwea, including maintenance of farm roads and machinery to ease transportation of produce. “The National Irrigation Authority does not have enough machinery that facilitates the transportation of rice produce from the farm. We are requesting these resources through your office,” she added.
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Maingi also raised concerns over unsold rice stocks, revealing that 40,000 bags remain in stores after the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) recently collected 6,000 bags. She urged the corporation to purchase the remaining stock to ensure farmers are paid promptly. “Recently the Kenya National Trading Corporation secured 6,000 bags, leaving 40,000 bags in our stores. We therefore urge them to collect them for farmers to be paid,” she said.
The MP emphasized that addressing the debt crisis, improving irrigation systems, and securing markets for surplus rice are critical steps to safeguard livelihoods in Mwea, which is Kenya’s largest rice‑producing region.
By Ochola Victor
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