Galana Kulalu Irrigation Project Visit

The Government has placed irrigation at the centre of the country’s food security and economic growth agenda, Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning, FCPA Hon. John Mbadi, has said.
The CS made the remarks during an inspection tour of the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, where he lauded the remarkable progress achieved so far.

The first maize crop covering 1,500 acres is due for harvest, while an additional 1,700 acres will be under production by the end of this month. By June 2026, the acreage is expected to expand to 6,400 acres, steadily positioning Galana Kulalu as Kenya’s future breadbasket.

Looking ahead, CS Mbadi revealed that the next phase of the project will involve the construction of a major dam to irrigate up to 200,000 acres. Once complete, the expansion will yield an estimated 14 million bags of maize annually, surpassing Kenya’s current deficit of about 10 million bags. He noted that this will not only secure the nation’s food needs but also stabilize food prices, reduce imports, and save the country vital foreign exchange. Beyond food security, the project is set to create thousands of jobs and stimulate economic growth in Kilifi, Tana River, and across the nation.

The CS also emphasized that the vision extends beyond Galana. At Bura Irrigation Scheme, plans are underway to develop 50,000 acres of rice and 50,000 acres of sugarcane, positioning it among the largest irrigation schemes in the region. To reduce heavy reliance on rice imports, the Government has already committed KES 6.8 billion towards expanding local rice production.
Highlighting the strategic nature of irrigation investments, CS Mbadi stated.

He further underscored the macroeconomic benefits of irrigation-led agriculture, noting that local food production shields the Kenya shilling from the pressures of food imports.

Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, noted that just 10,000 acres under irrigation at Galana can generate KES 2.8 billion annually while creating over 500 jobs. He added that irrigation is also a pillar of climate resilience, ensuring food production throughout the year.
“Irrigation is a key driver of the County Aggregated Irrigation Plans (CAIPs), which anchor agricultural development at the grassroots. The rice deficit, for example, will be tackled through collaboration between large-scale projects and smallholder producers,” said the PS.

In his closing remarks, CS Mbadi pledged full support from the National Treasury and Economic Planning to ensure the success of Galana Kulalu and other irrigation projects.
“As a Government, we will not relent until Kenya is fully food secure,” he affirmed.

Also present were CEO National Irrigation Authority Eng. Charles Muasya MBS; Secretary Land Reclamation and Climate Resilience Mr Joel Tanui; Senior Economic Advisor Mr Mohamed Hassan among other senior government officer