The once dormant Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project is experiencing a major revival, transforming Kenya’s coastal landscape into a thriving agricultural hub. Spearheaded under President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the project is now a flagship model for large-scale food production and national self-sufficiency.
Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo confirmed the rapid expansion, citing a shift in momentum since a presidential directive in January 2023 that restructured the initiative through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This approach has unlocked long-stalled development in the Kilifi and Tana River counties, turning arid lands into green belts of productivity.
The project, spanning three key phases, includes the immediate cultivation of 20,000 acres for food production, the construction of the 300 million cubic metre Galana Dam and a canal system, and the eventual irrigation of 200,000 acres within the Galana-Kulalu ranch.
“Water from the Galana River now flows through engineered gabion walls, gravity-fed canals, and pump systems that ensure consistent irrigation,” Dr. Omollo said. “Seven high-capacity pumps are already operational, with seven more being installed. We’re witnessing a rebirth of land that was once deemed barren.”
In June 2025, the first plantation under the revamped PPP kicked off with a focus on seed maize, a strategic move to supply high-quality seed for national distribution and ensure sustainable grain cultivation across Kenya.
The project is projected to cut the country’s maize import bill by up to 40% and position Kenya as a net exporter of cereals and animal feed in the near future.
Beyond agriculture, the initiative is spurring local development. Hundreds of jobs have been created, and agro-processing activities are expected to rise. Infrastructure improvements are also underway, with the Galana-Kulalu Bridge started in January 2025 now 61% complete, promising easier access for transporting both inputs and produce.
“The Galana-Kulalu transformation is proof of what’s possible when we combine political will, smart engineering, and strategic investment,” Dr. Omollo added.
As the fields bloom, hope grows not just for food security, but for the economic empowerment of communities that have long lived on the margins of Kenya’s agricultural economy.
