The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority (NWHSA), the Tana River County Government and Stella Mundi Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a strategic partnership that will support the development of water infrastructure and the implementation of the proposed Lucerne Project in Tana River County.
The partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable water resource development within the county. The flagship project is expected to promote commercial lucerne production, strengthen water security, enhance flood risk management, improve food and livestock feed security, create employment opportunities and drive socio-economic transformation for local communities.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, the Authority’s Chairperson Dr. Jane Mwikali, emphasized the importance of partnerships in unlocking Tana River County’s immense agricultural potential. She noted that the collaboration will help deliver sustainable water infrastructure while creating economic opportunities and improving livelihoods for residents.
Ag. Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Julius Mugun hailed the partnership as an opportunity to accelerate the livelihoods of residents in Tana River. He assured teams from the County and the rest of the partners of quality work from the Authority
“The National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority remains committed to delivering quality, sustainable and timely water harvesting and storage infrastructure that meets the needs of Kenyans while upholding the highest standards of professionalism, accountability and value for public resources,” Eng. Mugun.
Tana River County Governor H.E. Dhadho Godhana, who also attended the ceremony, described the Lucerne Project as a transformative investment and a key pillar in the county’s long-term development agenda. He reaffirmed the County Government’s commitment to working closely with partners to deliver projects that enhance climate resilience and foster inclusive economic growth.
Following the signing of the MoU, technical teams from the Authority, the County and Stella Mundi Ltd conducted a joint site visit in Hola in Tana River County, to assess the proposed project area. The exercise aimed to verify the project footprint, evaluate environmental considerations and support planning for the implementation of the strategic agricultural and water infrastructure project.
The Authority’s team comprised of the Manager – Infrastructure Maintenance & Regional Coordination Eng. Fred Machine, Mr. George Nyabicha; Manager, Resource Mobilization and Business Development among other technical staff.
The Tana River County Government delegation was led by the County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism and Industrialization, Hon. Ali Yahya Burrow, while Stella Mundi Ltd was represented by its Group Managing Director, Mayor Mangeya.
The joint assessment and partnership agreement demonstrate the commitment of the three institutions to delivering sustainable water infrastructure and agricultural investments that will improve livelihoods, strengthen climate resilience and unlock the economic potential of Tana River County.