Inspection of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Project

Friday 8th August 2025.

Galana Kulalu Irrigation Project

The Principal Secretary for Irrigation, CPA Ephantus Kimotho, CBS, today led an inspection of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Project as part of a resource mobilization tour. He hosted the Principal Secretary for the National Treasury, Dr. Chris Kiptoo, CBS.

PS Kimotho highlighted that the project’s 600,000m³ water reservoir will comfortably irrigate 10,000 acres within the scheme. He noted that the KSh 12.5 billion injected by the investor (SELU LTD) will be channelled into storage infrastructure, irrigation works, and internal farm roads to facilitate movement within the project and its environs.

Dr. Kiptoo lauded Galana Kulalu as a successful example of a Public-Private partnership (PPP) model in Kenya. Under the PPP arrangement, the project will initially put 20,000 acres under irrigation, backed by the KSh 12.5 billion investment. With each acre producing an average of 70 bags of maize annually, the project is expected to yield 1.4 million bags worth KSh 5.6 billion per year.

He emphasized that Kenya cannot finance all major projects solely through public funds, making PPPs a viable solution. He added that Galana Kulalu has 1.5 million acres suitable for irrigation, which, if fully utilized, would boost incomes, foreign exchange earnings, and create employment for young men and women.

Currently, the project is opening Phase 1B(second phase), covering 1,700 acres, bringing the total area under seed maize cultivation to 3,200 acres this year. Plans are underway to expand to 4,500 acres next year, eventually reaching the 20,000-acre target.

A Memorandum of Understanding between Al Dahra, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), and the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) will facilitate feasibility studies for developing 180,000 acres into diversified enterprises, including fodder and meat value chains, supported by the proposed dam with a storage capacity of 306 million m³. The dam will enable gravity-fed irrigation for 200,000 acres through approximately 60km canals.

Also present were Secretary for Land Reclamation, Climate Resilience and Irrigation Mr. Joel Tanui; National Irrigation Authority CEO Eng. Charles Muasya,MBS, Eng. Jairus Serede(NIA); Kefa Seda, Director General for PPP; Selu Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Ambani; and other  national government officials.

@The National Treasury 
@National Irrigation Authority