Background Information

Mwea Irrigation Settlement Scheme (MIS) is located in Kirinyaga County and falls within two sub counties i.e. Mwea East and Mwea West sub counties. Development of the scheme started in 1954 from the Tebere section with about 65 acres in irrigation farming and has since grown to the current gazetted area of 30,350 acres.

The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) has improved, rehabilitated and developed irrigation infrastructure for the farmers to engage in production activities. The scheme lies along the drainage basins of Rivers Nyamindi and Thiba which supply the irrigation water. The scheme area is largely plane and predominantly covered with black cotton soils, with a few raised spots of red soil. Rice paddies have been developed on the low areas that are covered with black cotton soils while the high spots covered with red soils have been reserved for settlement and production of upland crops.

The current approach to scheme management is Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), where the Government through National Irrigation Authority and the farmers through their organizations (Irrigation Water User Association [IWUA], Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose [MRGM] and Lainisha Sacco) have partnered in management of the irrigation scheme. Each of the four i.e. the Authority, IWUA, MRGM and Lainisha, have clearly defined roles in PIM. The Authority’s key responsibility in scheme management is operation and maintenance of the primary and secondary infrastructure, while the farmers are responsible for the tertiary infrastructure. Other roles include land administration, capacity building, irrigation expansion and rehabilitation of the irrigation infrastructure.

Current Status

Thiba dam’s completion has expanded the irrigated area within the scheme from 25,000 acres to 30,600 acres, a game-changer for the farmers. The increased acreage has doubled rice production and significantly boosted the region’s agricultural output.

The value of rice produced at the scheme since the completion of the dam has grown from Ksh10 billion to Ksh14 billion a year, creating additional 28,000 jobs that have improved the living standards and enhanced skills development.

Projected Benefits/ Benefits being realized

  • Increased agricultural productivity in the region as a result of increased area under irrigation and crop intensification as a result of sufficient water for irrigation. ;
  • Source of food and raw materials for the farming population and supporting of the local economy and industry.
  • Creation of employment for players in the rice value chain.
  • Poverty reduction as a result of increased productivity and increased employment opportunities;
  • Supporting trade within and outside the county.
  • Increased health benefits mainly through improved sanitation due to better access to water;

Mwea Irrigation Scheme Layout Map

A farmer at Mwea Irrigation Scheme

Statistical Data

  • Location/County – Mwea East and West Sub Counties, Kirinyaga County. Approximately 100KM North East of Nairobi City
  • Year of establishment – 1954
  • Gazetted Area – 30,350 Acres
  • Main Crop – Rice(96%)
  • Other Crops – Horticultural crops
  • Area under Irrigation –30, 600 (20, 000 Acres in the main scheme & 10, 600 Acres Expansion Areas)
  • Source of irrigation water – Rivers Nyamindi and Thiba.
  • No. of farmers –14,850
  • Type of irrigation Basin irrigation system and partially lined open canals to convey water to the farms
  • Other Crops – Horticultural Crops e.g Tomatoes & French beans

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