Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga County is facing serious water shortage after Thiba and Nyamindi rivers, which serve rice farmers, dried up.
Rice farmers who planted recently are already spending long hours on their farms trying to utilise and use economically the little water available.
According to the chairman of the Water Users Association in the scheme, Geoffrey Ciira Kariuki, they are currently rationing water to farmers using water from Thiba Dam in Gichugu, which was constructed to help rice farmers.
Ciira said they have never experienced such a severe water problem before. In other seasons, water shortage usually starts around September 20, but this year it started in mid-July.
"We always start using Thiba Dam water on September 20th, but right now the problem started in July. It is very serious," Ciira said.
Rice farmers led by Edward Munene said the problem has persisted and the crop is withering.
The most affected are farmers from Cumbiri, Wamumu and Karaba sections.
"Right now I was in Karaba section with my officials and things are bad," Ciira said.
Rice farmers are worried that they used expensive fertilizers and paid for water, every season, only for their crop to dry up.
"The cost of production is very high and lack of water will be a disaster to us," Peter Waweru from Karaba section said.
The chairman said they have introduced water rationing, with water from Thiba Dam flowing day and night to ensure equitable distribution.
Ciira said after technicians warned them about the water shortage, they advised farmers on when to plant, but some went ahead and planted anyway.
"We even sensitised them on when to plant, but some went ahead. Right now the problem has persisted. The Water Users Association has a very big problem guarding the water, even with police officers, to ensure everyone gets water," he said.
The suffering rice farmers in the scheme are now waiting for the rains to save their crop.
"Rice is drying as we watch. We are now waiting for rain which we are told by weathermen will be El Nino," Edward Munene said.
