The construction of canals and drains in Mutithi ward under the Mwea Irrigation Development Project will come to a completion in December 2023.

Water, Sanitation and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome told Senators that the project had stalled after the contractor terminated the contract on February 6, 2020 citing delays in payment.

By the time of the termination, progress of the project was at 43 percent.

The Cabinet Secretary was responding to questions by Kirinyaga County Senator James Murango who had sought the Ministry`s update on the status of the construction of canals and drains in Mutithi ward.

CS Wahome told the lawmakers that the project is now at 70 percent completion after the Ministry through the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) with the concurrence by Japan International Cooperation (JICA) Procured 2 local contractors to complete the remaining works after the initial contractor terminated the contract.

She revealed that the delay in the completion of the project was occasioned by pending land succession and dispute cases that are yet to be determined by the Courts, an action that has negatively affected progress of construction.

CS Wahome however assured Senators that the normal farming activities will not be interrupted by the project as it is structured to take care of farmers` needs.

“The Government has allocated Ksh 2 Billion (Ksh 545 million GOK and Ksh 1.4 Billion Donor funds) in the financial year 2023/2024 for Mwea Irrigation Development Project to meet the construction works requirements,” submitted the CS.

“The Contractors have been instructed to increase the rate of work with strict timelines and with close monitoring,” added the CS.

On the question of Gakuyuini Irrigation Water Project that was meant to add more than 500 acres under cultivation to Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Wamumu Ward, Kirinyaga County, the Cabinet Secretary told the House that the wayleave easement acquisition process by farmers and ongoing farming activities slowed the progress of work adding that despite that, the project is scheduled to be completed in November 2023.

According to CS Wahome, funds for implementation of the project have already been factored in the financial year 2023/24 with the remaining amount to complete the project estimated at Ksh. 17,800,000.

The CS used the opportunity to inform the Senators that the government is working on a plan that will enable irrigation of land using water from Lake Baringo.

She said the project that targets irrigation of 56,000 acres of land will enable the government increase production of food crops such as maize for the benefit of County residents and Kenya at large.