𝗠𝘄𝗲𝗮 𝗠𝗣 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲

Mwea MP, Mary Maingi, has raised concerns about the plight of over 100 residents left homeless due to flooding in Mwea Constituency.

Speaking in the National Assembly, Maingi called on the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation to take immediate steps to assist the families impacted by the flooding.

“I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Blue Economy, Water and Irrigation regarding the irregular maintenance of the drainage systems, on-farm roads and canals that has caused flooding in Mwea Irrigation Scheme and the surrounding areas,” Maingi stated.

Following heavy rainfall on Thursday, April 4th, 2024, floodwaters submerged 15 homes and businesses, leaving 100 people homeless and destroying acres of crops in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme and surrounding areas.

Maingi attributed the flooding to a lack of proper maintenance of water canals and on-farm roads used for irrigation purposes, stating,

“The National Irrigation Authority under the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation has not adequately addressed the issue of proper maintenance of water canals used to transport water for irrigation and on- farm roads in the rice fields. The desiltation of canals has also not been undertaken for a long time leading to blockage and floods.”

While addressing the House, Maingi requested for details of the regulatory frameworks in place to ensure regular maintenance of water canals and on-farm roads, including desilting and the emergency response measures adopted by the Ministry to address flood challenges in Mwea Constituency.