Galana-Kulalu Irrigation Project Expands as Kenya Pushes for Food Security

Key Highlights

• Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme ramps up with private and government partnerships.
• Over 1,200 acres currently under maize, cassava, and onions using pivot irrigation.
• Selu Africa to scale maize production from 1,500 acres to 20,000 acres in phases.
• Project already created 500 jobs; expected to reach 2,000 at full scale.
• Government prioritizing irrigation in ASAL regions to cut food imports within 10 years.
• Challenges include wildlife invasion, high energy costs, and poor road access.
• Local communities benefiting from jobs, modern farming skills, and food security support.

The ambitious Galana-Kulalu irrigation project is rapidly expanding as private investors and government agencies push to turn thousands of acres into productive farmland, in a bid to strengthen Kenya’s food security.

According to Nyumba Group’s Kishor Patel, the project is already cultivating onions, cassava, and maize using pivot irrigation systems. Out of 23 pivots installed, nine are currently operational—each covering 120 acres.

“We now have about 200 acres of onions, 500 to 600 acres of maize, and a similar acreage of cassava. Once all pivots are running by early next year, we will have around 3,000 acres under irrigation,” Patel said.

Long-term plans include expanding to up to 15,000 acres of onions, 10,000 acres of maize, and 5,000 acres of cassava. However, Patel highlighted challenges such as crop destruction by wild animals, costly reliance on generators due to lack of electricity connection, upstream water contamination, and poor road infrastructure.

Selu Africa ramps up commercial production

Selu Africa Limited, the firm leading commercialization under a public-private partnership, has planted maize on 1,500 acres and expects to start harvesting within days. CEO Nicholas Ambanya said acreage will steadily expand—3,200 acres by year’s end, 5,400 by mid-next year, and ultimately 20,000 acres.

“This project has already created 500 jobs. At full scale, at least 2,000 people will be directly employed,” Ambanya noted.

While maize remains the main focus, Selu Africa also plans to diversify into groundnuts, sunflower, chia seeds, peas, mangoes, and other crops. Government support has included irrigation infrastructure, a new bridge across the Galana River, and plans for electricity connection. Talks are also underway to classify the project as a Special Economic Zone.

National strategy to reduce food imports

Irrigation Secretary Joel Tanui emphasized that the project aligns with the National Irrigation Sector Investment Plan, which aims to eliminate food imports within a decade. The plan prioritizes unlocking arid and semi-arid lands—estimated to hold up to 90% of Kenya’s arable potential—and driving corporate agribusiness through public-private partnerships.

“With a one-government approach and multi-agency support, Galana-Kulalu is proving to be a model for large-scale food security projects,” Tanui said. Agencies involved include the Ministry of Agriculture, Kenya Wildlife Service, REREC, and KeRRA.

Communities welcome opportunities

Locals are already benefiting. Zawadi Wario, employed at the scheme, said the project has created vital job opportunities: “If fully implemented, Galana-Kulalu will transform lives here.”

From the pastoralist Orma community, Kassim Mohammed said maize farming introduced by the project has helped sustain them during drought seasons. He urged youth to take advantage of the jobs and modern farming methods being introduced.

Ambanya summed up the project’s vision: “This is not just about farming. It is about transforming lives and building food security for Kenya.”