Background

The Mwea Irrigation Development Project (MIDP) is being implemented in Mwea Irrigation Scheme (MIS), in Kirinyaga County. Currently, 30,600 acres are under paddy rice production in Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The objective of MIDP was to increase rice production in Mwea Irrigation Scheme (MIS) by rational water use through construction of the Thiba dam and rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage facilities and improvement of the schemes’ operations and management thereby contributing to expansion of irrigation area, improvement in livelihood of farmers in MIS and the food self-sufficiency in Kenya.

MIS is the largest irrigation scheme in Kenya with a history of about 60 years. The scheme has led to growth of the rice sector in Kenya with supply of over 60% of domestic rice coming from Mwea. In view of food security and poverty reduction strategy, the project has been positioned as a national flagship project because of its huge contribution to the country’s overall rice production.

Project Scope

Scope and Progress of the Project
Package 1 (Thiba Dam) Package 2 (Irrigation Area)
Lot 1 Lot 2
  1. River diversion works
  2. Dam embankment works
  3. Spillway works
  4. Outlet works
  5. Sand-trap works
  6. Road works
  7. Dam instrumentation
  8. Building works
  9. Hydro-mechanical works
  10. Electrical works
  11. Improvement/protection works for existing Mwea Irrigation Scheme
  • Construction of 2.4 km lining of Link Canal III with inspection road and 30 No. structures
  • Construction of 23 km main and branch canals with inspection roads and related structures
  • Rehabilitation of 800 m and 100 m of Link Canal I and II
  • Construction of 24 km main and branch drains and related structures
  • Construction of Kathiga bridge across River Thiba
  • Construction of 9.9 km connecting roads
  • Construction of project manager’s site office, one dormitory, and five residential houses
The Dam is complete and in use. Works ongoing and are within the contract schedule

Mwea Irrigation Area General Map of the Project Area

Benefits of the Project

  • Stabilize irrigation water supply for Mwea Irrigation scheme
  • To increase the area under irrigation from 25,000 acres to 35,000 acres in a season.
  • Support double cropping putting 70,000 acres under irrigation in a year
  • Increase rice production from 114,000 MT to 200,000 MT in Mwea.
  • Project to increase value of production from Kshs.10 billion to Kshs. 18 billion annually.
  • To create additional 50,000 jobs leading to a cumulative 175,000 jobs in a year.
  • Over 13 large private rice mills have come up for rice value addition.
  • Balling of rice straws as fodder for livestock in the region.

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