Intended to boost food security, create agricultural employment, reduce food imports
Galana-Kulalu Irrigation Scheme
Planned 1 million-acre irrigation project in Tana River/Kilifi counties, one of the largest in Africa.
AnnouncedJanuary 1, 2013
StartedSeptember 1, 2014
Financials
Offering PriceKsh 700,000,000,000KES
Timeline
Project Launch
President Kenyatta launched the Galana-Kulalu pilot phase
Pilot Phase Struggles
Pilot phase produced disappointing maize yields due to drought, poor planning, and equipment failures
Project Effectively Stalled
Full-scale expansion shelved as pilot phase failed to demonstrate viability
Scandals & Controversies
Pilot Phase Struggles
January 1, 2016Pilot phase produced disappointing maize yields due to drought, poor planning, and equipment failures
Contractors
Green Arava Ltd
Pilot Phase ContractorIsraeli agricultural firm contracted for the 10,000-acre pilot phase
Politicians Involved
Uhuru Kenyatta
President of KenyaLaunched the Galana-Kulalu project as a food security flagship
Felix Koskei
Cabinet Secretary for AgricultureOversaw the initial implementation of the irrigation project
Benefits
Description
The Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project was envisioned as a massive 1 million-acre irrigation scheme along the Galana and Kulalu rivers in Tana River and Kilifi counties. Intended to transform Kenya's food security by producing maize, sugarcane, and other crops, a 10,000-acre pilot phase was implemented by the National Irrigation Board with Israeli contractor Green Arava. However, the project has been plagued by drought, poor planning, equipment failures, wildlife conflict, and financial mismanagement. The pilot produced disappointing yields and the full-scale project has not materialized.
Overview
Was intended to be Africa's largest irrigation project and a solution to Kenya's perennial food insecurity, but became a symbol of failed mega-project planning.