Scramble to exploit resource-rich delta

By Philip Mwakio

The Tana Delta is a resource rich area that is home to many communities and diverse wild life, some of which are endangered species.

Lately, there has been a scramble for these resources by local and international firms.

A tractor scoops soil at Matomba village in Tana River District, Monday.

Sugarcane venture

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A joint Sh24 billion sugarcane project initiated by the Tana and Athi River Development Authority and Mumias Sugar Company has met legal barriers with a case pending at the High Court in Malindi. Another ambitious sugarcane venture by Mat International stalled after the Lands Ministry blocked it over land allocation.

During an official visit by President Kibaki to the oil-rich Gulf State of Qatar, a request to "hire out"’ land within the delta to the Qataris was made.

The Qatari government, say media reports, is keen on starting vegetable and fruit farming in the delta.

The exact location of the project by the Qatari government, who are said to be willing, in return, to help in the construction of Sh273 billion second port project in Lamu, is not known.

Mr Maulidi Kumbi Diwayu of the Tana Delta Environmental Conservation Organisation argues that failure to involve key stakeholders in projects initiated in the delta has led to massive project failures.

"Time and again, projects have been forced onto communities living within the expansive delta without due consideration of what effects they will have on the local populace," he says.