Turkana residents on Wednesday demanded why the KVDA's Napuu II irrigation scheme collapsed. It was intended to improve food security.
They're hungry.
Residents said the Kerio Valley Development Authority project fell apart due to mismanagement. They call it a white elephant.
The Napuu II irrigation scheme in Turkana Central subcounty was launched in 2015 by the Cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa.
Farmers say it isn't helping them during the drought.
Residents led by Sammy Achuka said the Turkana community gave KVDA 150 free hectares in Napuu for irrigation. There was only one harvest in 2016.
"We are starving, we gave free land to get the project to improve security but KVDA has neglected us. It used Sh55 million for the whole project and now it isn't functioning while the village next to the project is facing starvation," Achuka said.
Lodwar resident Joseph Ekitela said the project to address food security benefited some individuals, leaving out the interests of vulnerable Turkanas.
"We source food from Uganda and Kitale," Lodwar resident Lucy Ekuwom said.
"The government should invest a lot in irrigation to ensure residents don't starve ... If corruption was involved, the guilty should be dealt with according to the law for making people starve."
The project was to target 100 households within Napuu village and Turkana county.
It was located near a large fresh water aquifer discovered by engineers in 2012.
In some areas like Kangirisae, Nakurio and Kalapata it is feared people have died of the drought ravaging most of Turkana.
More than 800,000 residents are hungry and facing starvation.