Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority is a state corporation which was established in 1974 by an Act of Parliament CAP 443 of the Laws of Kenya. The functions and responsibilities of the Authority encompassed integrated planning and coordination of all development projects within the Tana River Basins and specifically to implement any projects for the purpose of utilization and protection of water and soils of the area. In 1981, TRDA was changed to Tana and Athi River Development Authority (TARDA) widening the scope to include the Athi River basin.