‘It is not in our scope of work!’ – Chinese Contractor Tells Off Ruto On Busia Irrigation Project
On Wednesday, a visibly irritated President William Ruto sought clarification from a Chinese contractor and Water Cabinet Secretary Eric Muuga in Busia County on a proposed adjustment in irrigation construction works.
The Head of State, who was opening the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project Phase I-Lot 2, requested extra land for rice farming, which the constructor argued was outside the scope of the project.
BUDALANGI, BUSIA COUNTY, KENYA
— Kithure Kindiki (@KindikiKithure) January 22, 2025
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2025
Launch of the extension of Secondary Dyke for River Nzoia Flood Control Project by President William Samoei Ruto in Budalangi Constituency, Busia County. pic.twitter.com/ES554prmxp
The Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project, which began in June 2018, is an agricultural development project aimed at improving food security and livelihoods in the Busia and Siaya counties.
Phase I of the project, which is scheduled for completion in May 2025, entails irrigation of roughly 10,000 acres—1,508 hectares in Busia County and 2,535 hectares in Siaya County.
The project aims to diversify agricultural production by devoting 50% of the irrigated area to high-value fruits and vegetables.
Meanwhile, the remaining area will be used for rotational crops such as rice, soybeans, maize, and legumes.
However, Ruto, who was inspecting the site, inquired whether the contractor might dredge more land to make way for further rice planting.
Today, January 22, 2025, His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD., C.G.H. President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces officially launched Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project Phase 1- Lot 2 in Busia County. pic.twitter.com/kBCM0kNVFA
— National Irrigation Authority (@Irrigation_Auth) January 22, 2025
“What if we do more dredging to get more land to grow rice” Ruto asked. He went on to inquire from the contractor and the Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation Eric Muuga what is needed.
The CS jumped to respond to the President saying, “Allow us to do a proper study.”
However, Ruto jumped in telling him, “I don’t want a study. We need to complete this. We have been doing this for 11 years.”
He went on to ask the contractor, “How do you drain the excess water to the lake?”
The contractor informed the president that all that was required was the installation of a drainage system, which he described as ‘simple’.
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However, when Ruto requested that it be done, the contractor replied, “It is not in our scope of work.”
Ruto asked CS Muuga and the contractor to develop a scope for the drainage system and ensure that it is included in the project.
Later in the day, I joined the President H.E @WilliamsRuto and the Deputy President H.E @KindikiKithure in launching Lower Nzoia irrigation project Phase 1-lot 2 located ni Siaya and Busia Counties.
— Eng. Eric Mugaa (@mugaa_eric) January 22, 2025
The project has a target area of 10,000 acres (approximately 6,270 acres in… pic.twitter.com/DX46FGCOuN
“Between the two of you, work out the numbers for that final dredging so that we remove the backflow,” Ruto directed.
The Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project is planned to create Ksh4.8 billion in revenue for farmers and provide about 30,000 people with vital agricultural skills.
‘It is not in our scope of work!’ – Chinese Contractor Tells Off Ruto On Busia Irrigation Project
