A drying rice farm in Mwea due to lack of water. Photo/Courtesy
By Daisy Okiring
Farmers at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga County are sounding the alarm over an acute water shortage that threatens to devastate their rice crop. With harvesting season just three months away, many fear that the December yields could be the lowest in years if the crisis is not urgently addressed.
The shortage has pushed farmers into desperate measures, with many now keeping night vigils on their farms to secure scarce water supplies. Rice farmers in Mwea plant in cycles, with the latest crop sown last month. Without consistent irrigation, the young crop is already showing signs of stress.
Charles Kibicho, unit leader of Cumbiri Unit 3, revealed that tensions have boiled over into open disputes among farmers competing for limited water.
“Last night I solved a case where two groups clashed over water. Some farmers are blocking channels to divert it to their own farms. We are praying for rain to ease the situation,” Kibicho said.
Other farmers shared similar concerns, warning that the drought could wipe out entire fields. James Mwangi, a farmer in the scheme, lamented the losses he may incur.
“I applied fertilizer last week, but without water, my rice may dry up. The soil is cracking, it is very dry,” he explained.
Rationing Introduced, but Frustrations Mount
In response, the National Irrigation Authority has introduced a rationing system meant to distribute the scarce water fairly. Peter Chege, chairman of the Water Users Association in the scheme, urged farmers to cooperate with the plan.
“We will share the little water available across all units—Wamumu, Karaba, Thiba, Tebere, Mwea, Ndekia, and Cumbiri. We are urging farmers to let the water flow so that everyone benefits,” Chege told farmers in Nguka.
Despite these efforts, farmers argue that the rationing only provides temporary relief and does little to address the deeper crisis. Their frustrations are amplified by the presence of the Thiba Dam, Kenya’s largest irrigation dam, which was commissioned in 2022 precisely to end such shortages.
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Thiba Dam’s Unmet Promise
The Thiba Dam in Gichugu was launched with great optimism as a long-term solution to water challenges in Mwea. The dam was expected to guarantee a steady water supply and boost rice production in Kenya’s largest rice-growing scheme.
However, three years later, farmers say little has changed.
“We rely on the Thiba and Nyamindi rivers, but we were promised that the Thiba Dam would solve our water problems. Why are we still suffering?” asked Joseph Karimi, a farmer from the Karaba section.
Another farmer, Joseph Wainaina from Nguka, echoed the concerns, questioning why water shortages persist despite heavy investments.
“We are facing shortages even after planting, yet the Thiba Dam is here. The government and the National Irrigation Authority must explain why the promise of ending shortages has not been fulfilled,” he said.
Livelihoods and Food Security at Risk
The Mwea Irrigation Scheme is Kenya’s largest rice-growing project, directly supporting thousands of households. Beyond the farmers themselves, the scheme is central to national food security, supplying more than 80 percent of the rice consumed locally.
If the crisis continues, experts warn that not only will farmers face devastating losses, but rice prices across the country could also skyrocket, straining already stretched household budgets. The situation adds to broader concerns about food security in Kenya, where recent reports have already projected shortages in staple foods such as maize and wheat due to erratic weather patterns.
Farmers Demand Accountability
Farmers are now demanding answers from both the government and the National Irrigation Authority. Many believe that mismanagement and lack of transparency are contributing to the persistent shortages despite the availability of infrastructure meant to prevent them.
“We gave up land for the dam, believing it would save us from such problems. If we are still struggling, then someone must account for what went wrong,” said farmer Esther Njeri.
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Call for Urgent Intervention
As the crisis deepens, Mwea farmers are appealing for urgent government intervention, including immediate release of water from the Thiba Dam, support for alternative water sources, and long-term strategies to manage irrigation sustainably.
Unless swift action is taken, the farmers warn that the December harvest will be dismal, leaving both growers and consumers to suffer the consequences.
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