Farmers within the 650-acre West Kano Irrigation Scheme are staring at a Kes 50 million loss after flood water marooned rice under farms.
West Kano Irrigation Scheme chairman Jared Odoyo says rice is now wasted as the region receives heavy rain.
Odoyo says farmers took loans from banks and other microfinance institutions to develop their farms, which are now in ruins.
“Farmers are at crossroads since they must repay the loans and with schools opening next year, it is going to be a disaster,” he said.
Further, he says the bumper harvest they had hoped to get in January next year is now a dashed hope.
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Additionally, he says the outlet pump has failed to cope with the magnitude of water as he appealed to both the county and national governments to assist farmers by acquiring a new pump.
“The outlet pump has been a problem to the farmers for two decades, it is a source of misery to the farmers and we would like to have a new pump bought.”
Speaking to farmers at the scheme, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), substantive Chief Executive Officer said that they will now drive the enhancement of rice production and food security in the region.
Eng. Charles Muasya was appointed CEO of NIA by the Ministry of Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation late last month.
To contest Eng. Muasya's appointment, a farmer from the Wes Kano Scheme, has filed a lawsuit at Kisumu's employment court.
Distancing themselves from the complainant, the farmers pointed out that there is no record of him being a rice farmer in the area.
“We have gone through the list of our members and the name that has gone to court and purporting to be a farmer from tis scheme is not our member,” said Odoyo.
Odoyo says they have faith in the new CEO, who has visited them on many occasions as the acting CEO.
