Protracted land legal battles and an inadequate water supply have stalled the expansion of the Tana River Food Security and Development Project in Tana River County.

The Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, has directed the Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) and the National Irrigation Authority to resolve the two issues.

Speaking after a tour of the project, Koskei said more investors were ready to increase rice production in the area after the court cases and water problems are resolved.

Koskei, who visited the project site on Saturday, advised local leaders to allow the project to be expanded to create employment and provide food in the country.

Currently, the project operates under the Public-Private Partnership model, with investors invited to the area to boost rice production.

“We are asking the agency responsible for rice development, which is Tarda and the National Irrigation Authority, to work closely with the investors so that the water issue is resolved to enable the expansion of the project,” he said.

He added that the country relies on 80 per cent rice imports, and by laying down proper infrastructure, Kenya can produce rice at minimal cost and bridge the deficit.

“Water and court cases are a challenge. As a government, we want to invest in infrastructure so as to attract investors,” he said.

A private investor, Agri All Africa International, has put 1,200 acres under rice production, but flooding has slowed down activities, with the 38-kilometre water canal frequently getting silted, hence affecting the water supply.

Ralph Wanjogu from Agri All Africa International said they began work in 2023 by clearing the bushy area and planted rice, which were destroyed by El Niño floods the same year.

“We started this work in 2023 when we came and cleared 500 acres, which we put under rice production, however El Niño destroyed 80 per cent of the crop. But we are now able to deploy technology to produce cost-effective rice,” he said.

He added that the company has also renovated rice mills and is encouraging farmers to bring their produce for milling.

“Tarda has the largest rice mill in the country, and when we came in, it was in a dilapidated state, but we have fixed it, and I want to encourage out-growers to bring their produce for milling. So far, the rice from outside the country has been selling at lower prices because it has stayed long in the market, but ours is fresh and aromatic,” he said.

The company, according to Dr Wanjogu, has created more than 400 direct jobs for the local community who work in the rice paddies.

Eugene Kasire, an engineer with the company, said they were facing water challenges due to the Tana River frequently changing its course, which affects the water intake.

“This being a delta, there are two water extremes, which include the flood water extreme and the low water extreme, but we are surviving through, and we renovated 43 kilometres of water channels.

Within the feeder systems, at the intake, our major challenge is channel meandering because the channel was connected to the old river course, and another challenge is constant siltation after every flood cycle,” he said.