Some Nakuru leaders have demanded disbandment of the National Irrigation Board for failing to improve food security.
Led by the former chairman of the National Assembly Agriculture committee John Mututho, they said those tasked with policy implementation have no expertise in making projects yield.
“We have some of the best policies in agriculture and food security, including irrigation in arid and semi-arid areas, but implementors have failed," Mututho said.
The former Naivasha MP said, "The board that had a great mandate of ensuring food security through projects such as the Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project has totally failed, leading to stalling of the project."
The Project covering two counties, Kilifi and Tana River, was to bring down the price of maize and avert hunger.
Mututho said cartels did not interfere in irrigation projects, the country would not be in the current situation of more than 12 counties suffering acute food shortage.
“Galana-Kulalu was supposed to be a trial and it proved that we can get 40 bags per acre economically but cartels try to manipulate the system. It's simple: Take [Devolution CS] Eugene Wamalwa to Galana and call in private investors. Then, let's disband NIB for failing the country,” Mututho said.
The government has started distributing relief food in some areas, even as some leaders sat at least one million Kenyans face starvation and death.
Drought has been blamed and the government ays the crisis could get out of hand if the long rains don't start in two weeks.
The worst-affected counties include Baringo, Turkana, Isiolo, Garissa, Wajir, Kilifi, Marsabit, Tana River, Samburu, Mandera, Kitui and Makueni. Baringo and Turkana suffer the most, some residents reportedly survive on leaves and wild fruits.