Farmers count losses at once thriving scheme

Munyoki Muthengi prepares his farm for planting at Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme [PHOTO: PHILIP MUASYA / STANDARD]

A major National Irrigation Board (NIB) project that had been hailed as a panacea to recurrent drought in the Ukambani region has been gripped by a series of problems.

Many farmers have abandoned their plots at Usueni/Wikithuki Irrigation Scheme located in Tseikuru District, Kitui county which has so far gobbled up Sh400 million. Farmers complain that water that is drawn from River Tana is not pumped regularly because the NIB seldom settles electricity bills on time. Subsequently crops have now largely failed in the scheme that was commissioned in 2011.