The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kirinyaga County, have threatened to stop paying water and maintenance levies to the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) unless the poor state of farm access roads is addressed.
Speaking at their annual general meeting, the farmers accused NIA of failing to repair roads within the scheme despite collecting KSh5,000 per acre each season for maintenance. They claimed that poor infrastructure had led to heavy post-harvest losses and eroded profits.
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Pius Njogu, a farmer from the Thiba section, lamented that the roads were last rehabilitated during the late President Mwai Kibaki’s administration.
“Transporting rice from farms to stores in Mwariko and Ngurubani has become extremely costly. After harvesting, we pay up to KSh400 per bag just for transport,” he said.
John Mwangi Muigai from Tebere section said farmers had resolved not to remit levies next season if the situation persists. Njiraini Kimenju of Karaba section added that many farmers are now forced to hire tractors to move rice to the main road since loaders cannot pass through the muddy fields. He also raised concern over unaccounted funds flagged by the Auditor-General, despite farmers paying through the eCitizen platform.
The farmers further petitioned Parliament to expedite issuance of title deeds, saying they have worked their land for decades without legal ownership. Over 200 farmers have already signed a petition submitted through a local MP.
“Unlike other farmers in Kirinyaga, we still lack legal ownership of land we have cultivated since the 1950s. This has denied us access to loans and other development opportunities,” said John Munene from the Thiba section.
