Rice shortage looms as Mwea water canals collapse

Kenya may face a shortage of rice following heavy rainfall experienced across the country.

The rains have destroyed water canals at the Mwea Irrigation Scheme that contributes 80 percent of the country’s rice production.

Mr. Morris Mutugi, the National Irrigation Board Scheme Manager, said the canals that were constructed in partnership with the Japanese Government caved in due to the heavy downpour.

“Mwea rice farmers are supposed to level their nurseries by this month but right now nothing is happening due to heavy rainfall,” he told Citizen Digital.

Over Ksh.200million is needed to reconstruct the scheme water canals, chairman of Mwea rice farmers Morris Mutugi revealed.

According to him, the canals are worth an estimated Ksh.700million.

Farmers are urging the Government to intervene and repair the canals in good time to avert a major food crisis.