KYUSO, Feb 28, 2009 - Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka today officially launched the Wikithuki cooperative Irrigation Scheme in his Constituency, Kyuso district. Mr. Musyoka said the project would go along way in assisting the residents be self reliant in food production and at the same time eradicate the perennial famine affecting the area.
Speaking at Kyenini market where he distributed famine relief food, Mr. Musyoka said farmers will be empowered to tap water from river Tana to irrigate their farms when the project is complete, noting that each farmer would be required to pay a membership fee of only Kshs. 500.
"We do not want a situation where Kenyans will in future be found suffering due to lack of food. It is this type of project that will make our people attain food security", VP added.
Mr. Musyoka said a team of irrigation experts would soon be dispatched to the region to educate the residents on new irrigation technology to supplement rain fed farming currently practiced.
The Vice President at the same time said the government has declared total war on corruption and warned civil servants still engaging in the vice of dire consequences.
Mr. Musyoka challenged local residents to take advantage of the climatic condition of the area and invest in bee keeping, noting that the area was ideal for honey production.
He at the same time encouraged the local community to form cooperative societies and self help groups to enable them access markets for their products as well as credit to develop their farms.
Earlier, the Vice President joined other mourners at a funeral of former Cllr. John Ngui Ndana, at his Ngalange home, in Kyuso district.
The late Ngui aged 80, passed away while undergoing treatment at Mwingi district hospital on 15/02/09.
He leaves behind Widow Sarah, five children and several grandchildren.
In his condolence message, the Vice President described the late Ngui as a committed servant of the people who championed development agenda in not only Tseikuru division but also in the former greater Kitui district.
The late Cllr. Ngui served as an elected councilor in Tseikuru ward between 1979- 1988 and later joined Kitui County Council as a nominated civic leader from 1993 to 2007.