Stagnant water in stalled irrigation intake breeds mosquitoes

An unfinished irrigation project water intake is filled with stagnant water and mosquitoes are breeding, causing fears of malaria in Murang'a county.

The mosquitoes have now moved into homes, feasting on residents as they sleep.

The site is in Kanjama village in Mathioya subcounty. The water intake  is built along the banks of River Mathioya.

The intake for Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga irrigation project in Murang’a East subcounty and was started in January but abandoned in June.

Its chambers have filled up with run-off and ground water that has stagnated, providing fertile ground for mosquitoes to lay eggs and breed.

On Monday, hundreds of the villagers said they had had enough and demanded the intake drained. Otherwise, they will do it themselves, they said.

MCA Morris Thuku said the political leadership was not involved in construction of the project and said residents will converge at the site on Friday to decide the next course of action.

County health executive Joseph Mbai said the administration had taken up the matter and public health officers will be deployed to the site to assess the situation.

National Irrigation CEO Gitonga Mugambi on Wednesday told the Star, "Those are negative politics but we are addressing the issues by educating and talking to he residents."

He did not say how the mosquito problem would be solved. 

Residents' faces, necks and hands — any exposed skin — is covered with itchy mosquito bites, making it difficult for them to concentrate.

Some have caught malaria. Most cannot afford treated mosquito nets and spray.

Susan Njoki told the Star the mosquitoes in their homes and farms are so so numerous that they are defenceless against them.

“When we are feeding our children at night, we have to keep swatting them or they will end up in a child’s mouth,” Njoki said.

Children's education is constantly disrupted by trips to the hospital.

She said it is unfair that the project does not benefit them in any mway and has only served to worsen their lives.

Another account was given by Daniel Nzonzo, head of corporate communications for the irrigation board. He said the contractor left the site after the community grew hostile over compensation and said it wold not give way leave for water pipes.

Nzonzo said compensation is not given for projects benefiting entire communities but residents didn't understand, despite information sessions. At first they agreed, then they opposed the project, he said.

He said the contractor has been directed to go back to the site and drain stagnant water before the end of the week. 

Njoki said when plans to build the intake were being made, residents were called to the chief's office and informed of the plans.

Talks on how some residents would be compensated were not finalised. Then the contractor started works.

“They drove their tractors through my land and destroyed my food crops without any compensation and now they have left us with diseases,” Njoki said.

Teresiah Wangui said she was approached by unidentified people who convinced her to sign some papers, claiming they were compensation documents. She was also told that her farm would be connected with the irrigation water.

Wangui only learnt later the fingerprint she gave was to consent to the implementation of the project.

The contractor even built a pit latrine in her farm to be used by construction workers building the intake.

Months later, Wangui said, she noticed huge mosquitoes that soon sent her to the hospital with malaria.

“The first time I fell ill, I had to be carried to the hospital because I could not walk and it was at night. Now my body has grown frail and I have also become susceptible to other illnesses,” the elderly woman said.

With the festivities drawing near, Wangui expressed concerns her grand-children who like playing near the serene river banks may fall into the flooded intake and drown, or catch malaria.

“If they do not drain this water, we will mobilise ourselves and do it,” she said.

Edward Githuo said the intake was built on his farm without his consent and now it has become a death trap.

Just a few days ago, Githuo said a local youth walking on top of the built intake slipped and fell into the flooded chambers. He was lucky to be rescued.

The project, he said, has become a nightmare for the village and they want it stopped until a meeting is held between National Irrigation Board officials and residents.

“The mosquitoes in this village are so big they buzz around like bees. Before we can talk about compensation, we want this mosquito issue resolved as soon as possible," he said.

Beatrice Wambugu said she wakes up at night to find mosquitoes feeding on her children. She feels helpless as she cannot afford mosquito nets.

“One net costs Sh500 and I have four children. Between feeding them and paying their school fees, I have little left,” she said. The worst affected are the elderly and children, she said.

Wambugu said in addition to treated nets, they also want insecticide to spray in their homesteads.

(Edited by V. Graham)