Kirinyaga: Water hyacinth in River Thiba worries local farmers, residents

Residents living along River Thiba in Tebere Ward, Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County, are concerned about the growth of water hyacinth in the river.

Residents led by Francis Nyamu, noted that the river was attacked by the invasive weed last year, posing a significant threat to both the river and its users.

The water hyacinth forms a dense carpet-like layer on the river's surface, making it difficult for locals to fetch drinking water and pump water to their crops.

 "The weed has been gradually re-emerging at the riverbanks, causing anxiety among residents living in Kiingati to Ndindiruku villages," Nyamu explained.

Mary Muthoni, a farmer in Kiingati and Ndindiruku, remarked that the weed initially appeared in rice farms.

"It began discreetly; only later did we realize it was the hyacinth weed seen in Lake Victoria," Muthoni added.

Tebere Ward residents have urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to intervene before the anticipated El Niño rains potentially worsen conditions for those residing near Thiba River.

"We are spending a lot of time searching for suitable locations to place our water pumps for watering our crops," Phillip Njogu noted.