Residents upbeat over irrigation scheme in Mwingi

File | NATION
Above, an irrigation project similar to the one Kitui aspires to have.

What you need to know:

  • Government has set aside Sh300 million for the project to be undertaken by Moi University and Egyptians

Residents of arid Tseikuru district in Kitui County are excited about the prospects of turning their dry land into productive farms.

Coming at a time when the country is in the grip of the worst drought in decades, the residents are counting the weeks until they witness the fulfilment of the long-held dream of tapping the waters of River Tana that flows across their rain-deficient region to the Indian Ocean.

The county council of Mwingi has provided 5,000 acres of land for an irrigation scheme, and the government has allocated Sh300 million for the project.

Locals, through a co-operative society, will manage 4,900 acres of the farm while Rift Valley Textile Company, which belongs to Moi University, will grow cotton on 1,000 acres.

Engineers from Moi University are collaborating with experts from Alexandria University in Egypt and locals to exploit River Tana. It will be the first irrigation project in Ukambani.

The proposed scheme in Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka’s Mwingi North constituency is being modelled on the Egyptian desert irrigation scheme which has taught farmers new food production techniques.

The collaborative arrangement between the two universities, which gave birth to the agriculture technology transfer pact, was initiated by the VP last year when he visited Egypt to witness the two institutions sign a memorandum of understanding.

According to Moi University vice-chancellor Prof Richard Mibei, the Egyptians have a long and successful history of irrigating desert land using water from River Nile and hence will bring plenty of expertise in large-scale food and livestock production.

“We want to replicate in Mwingi what happens along River Nile (in Egypt) and transform the entire region into an agricultural enterprise,” Prof Mibei told the Sunday Nation last week when he toured the site of the proposed scheme.

“Egypt is today one of the most stable economies in Africa. Its agricultural sector is responsible for achieving local food security needs and a booming food export trade. It is also the main source of raw materials for many industries,” he added.

The vice-chancellor said River Tana provides enough potential for the success of the project, adding that locals will grow all sorts of crops and keep livestock.

Prof Mibei said that the Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme will transform the area into a green belt, and locals will never again experience famine since the project will produce enough food for local consumption and for sale.

The plan, according to Prof Mibei, involves the preparation and construction of intake works and a pumping system from River Tana, construction of main, sub-main and infield conveyance systems in the first phase.

“In the second phase, a raised intake system will be constructed together with the expansion of the main canal and conveyance system to distribute water into the expansive farmland,” he explained. The residents, mainly subsistence farmers, have formed a co-operative society that will manage the project.

Wikithuki co-operative chairman Nzomo Kakuru said the 750 members who have joined the society are enthusiastic about the prospect of overcoming perennial drought and poverty. Their number is expected to go up.

“More people have applied to join the society, and residents are willing to consolidate their little farms in the future to gain full advantage of the scheme,” he told the Sunday Nation at Tseikuru market.

The VP, who is also the area MP, said the government had set aside Sh300 million this year to facilitate the project take-off and that the Egyptians were already on the ground.

Mr Musyoka said the project was vital for the region as it would end dependency on relief supplies.

He urged his constituents to join the new co-operative society to fully benefit from the project when complete.

Prof Hassan Mohammed Maghazy, the head of irrigation and civil engineering at Alexandria University, is heading the Egyptian delegation.

Prof Maghazy said River Tana, which flows permanently, can help Kenya turn her arid lands into a major source of welfare and prosperity and create thousands of jobs.