Over 2,000 residents of Mbeere South are set to benefit with water for irrigation courtesy of Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA).
The Economic activities in Mbeere South have stalled due to prevalence of perennial dry spells, however water for irrigation will breathe new life in the area.
While addressing the area residents, the TARDA Managing Director (MD), Stephen Githaiga said the Authority is targeting over 90 acres given to local residents carved from land owned by the Authority.
However, he said that the Authority will release over 150 acres for farming as demonstration farms being a joint venture of TARDA and the locals.
The MD said that the 38 kilometre water project will draw water from Gitaru Dam, adding that the region is identified as suitable for production of cotton, sorghum and livestock rearing.
Githaiga tasked the TARDA engineers and the area Member of Parliament, Geoffrey King’ang’i to fast track the processing of the engineering design for it to be presented to the treasury.
“Once the document is presented to the treasury and funds released, we hope by December this year or January next year the project will take off,” he noted.
“It is our mandate to supply you with water for irrigation and safe guard the environment in this region,” noted Githaiga while assuring the residents the Authority will continue supporting them.
However, the MD challenged the locals to avoid unhealthy politics and confrontations over development projects which have been affecting them negatively.
He said the Authority has been doing various development activities in various parts of the country, including Laikipia, Tharaka Nithi, Tana Delta among others.
The Embu County Commissioner, Abdullahi Galgalo challenged the residents and local leaders to work closely with TARDA for the success of the water project.
“Work closely with the government agencies on the grassroots such as TARDA and KenGen among others to fast track development in this region,” he noted.
He however, warned residents against invading land owned by TARDA, adding that the land is a public land.
By Kimani Tirus
