Galana-Kulalu food security project ready for full operation, President Ruto
Under this model, three private entities will manage large tracts of land: Selu Limited (20,000 acres), Nyumbani Foundation (50,000 acres), and Al Dahra of the United Arab Emirates (180,000 acres)
KENYA – The ambitious Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project is now primed for full-scale operation following the completion of critical irrigation infrastructure valued at US$4 million (KES 519.4 million), President William Ruto has announced.
The Galana-Kulalu initiative is a flagship component of Kenya’s long-term food security strategy and could serve as a model for arid and semi-arid land (ASAL) development across the region. This marks a major milestone in Kenya’s quest for sustainable food production and drought resilience.
The newly completed works include a 753-metre inlet canal, a 450 million-litre reservoir, a 1,210-metre outlet canal, and a 20 million-litre off-take sump, all vital to enabling large-scale irrigation in the region. These developments, President Ruto emphasized, will optimize water management and significantly enhance agricultural output.
“For a long time, there has been a lot of talk about this project. It has been enough talk; now the work begins,” said Ruto during an inspection tour on Friday.
The President confirmed that a public-private partnership (PPP) framework is now in motion, with farming set to commence next week.
Under this model, three private entities will manage large tracts of land: Selu Limited (20,000 acres), Nyumbani Foundation (50,000 acres), and Al Dahra of the United Arab Emirates (180,000 acres). A total of 250,000 acres will be placed under irrigation.
President Ruto revealed that Kenya and the UAE have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to attract foreign investment into the project. These investments will target both food crop cultivation and animal feed production, addressing national concerns over food security and livestock feed shortages.
To further secure the region’s water supply, plans are underway to construct a dam on the Galana River.
In a broader push to support agriculture and reduce operational costs, the government is also implementing a US$22.3 million (KES 2.9 billion) electrification project for the farm.
Managed by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), the initiative will replace costly diesel-powered systems with clean energy solutions. Full electrification is expected by 2026 and will pave the way for agro-processing facilities within the scheme.
The President also inspected the US$11.5 million (KES 1.5 billion) Galana-Kulalu Bridge and access road infrastructure, designed to ensure efficient transport of produce to market. The 200-metre bridge and adjoining roads are critical for integrating this remote project into national supply chains.
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