TANA RIVER, Kenya — The government has begun harvesting the first maize crop at the Galana–Kulalu Irrigation Scheme, marking a major milestone in reviving a project once written off as a failure just two years ago.
The Galana–Kulalu Food Security Project, located on expansive government land straddling Kilifi and Tana River counties, is being implemented through a public–private partnership (PPP) between the government and Selu Limited.
According to officials, the initial 1,500 acres of maize have yielded between 28 and 30 bags per acre, signaling progress in the scheme’s turnaround.
Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary Eric Mugaa, who presided over the start of the harvest on Saturday, said the project is now on track to become a key driver of Kenya’s food security goals.
“The Galana–Kulalu project is on track to become a food hub for Kenya, supporting the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to make the country food secure and reduce the KSh500 billion annual food import bill,” said Mr. Mugaa. “We are committed to its success, and the first crop we are harvesting today is evidence of that.”
The CS said 330 acres would be harvested over the next five days, while the investor would continue scaling up production using water from two newly constructed small dams.
He revealed that Selu Limited can cultivate up to 6,300 acres using the current water infrastructure, with long-term plans to build a large dam capable of irrigating 200,000 acres.
“The long-term plan is to build a large dam in Galana whose water can irrigate up to 200,000 acres,” Mr. Mugaa said.
Major Irrigation Investments
The progress follows significant government investment in irrigation infrastructure, including a 20,000-cubic-metre intake well, a 2-kilometre canal, a 550,000-cubic-metre reservoir, and a 20,000-cubic-metre offtake pump.
Officials said the infrastructure has stabilised water supply, enabling consistent crop production in an area that previously relied on erratic rainfall.
Selu Limited CEO Nicholas Ambanya said the company has so far planted 1,500 acres and plans to expand to 3,200 acres by the end of 2025, reaching 5,400 acres by June 2026. The goal is to progressively increase cultivated land to 20,000 acres as more irrigation water becomes available.
“The project has already created about 200 jobs, and more Kenyans will be hired as we expand production,” Ambanya said.
Partnerships and Oversight
Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, who accompanied the CS, said the success of Galana–Kulalu proves that irrigation can transform arid and semi-arid lands into productive agricultural hubs.
“This project has proven that, with irrigation, arid and semi-arid lands can help us achieve food security,” said Kimotho.
He added that the government is working with other partners interested in cultivating an additional 180,000 acres under irrigation.
National Assembly Water, Irrigation and Blue Economy Committee Chairman Kangogo Bowen lauded the project’s progress, saying Parliament would continue providing funds to strengthen irrigation infrastructure.
“We are satisfied that the funds allocated for irrigation at Galana have been well used. Parliament will continue to support this initiative,” said Bowen.
Also present during the harvest were National Irrigation Authority Chairman Gilbert Maluki and CEO Charles Muasya.
The first harvest marks the beginning of a new phase aimed at sustainable production of high-quality seeds and strengthening Kenya’s commitment to a resilient, modern, irrigation-based agricultural sector.
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