TANA RIVER, Kenya—Dec 20, 2025-Under the relentless heat of Tana River County, a vast stretch of land once dismissed as too dry for farming is again at the center of Kenya’s food security ambitions. At Galana/Kulalu, green shoots now break through the arid soil – a quiet but powerful signal of what large-scale irrigation could mean for a country grappling with recurrent drought and rising food insecurity.
As several counties across Kenya continue to reel from prolonged dry spells, the Government is intensifying its focus on irrigation-led agriculture, betting on mega projects such as Galana/Kulalu to stabilize food production and shield the country from climate-induced shocks.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe toured the Galana/Kulalu Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County, reaffirming the project’s place at the heart of Kenya’s long-term food security strategy.
Farming where rain fails
Kenya’s food challenge is increasingly defined by geography and climate. About 80 per cent of the country’s landmass lies in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs), regions that are highly vulnerable to erratic rainfall and prolonged droughts. For decades, this reality has limited agricultural productivity and left millions dependent on food relief during dry seasons.
Speaking during the tour, CS Kagwe said irrigation farming presents one of the most viable solutions to this persistent vulnerability. “With such a large portion of our land classified as arid and semi-arid, irrigation is no longer optional. It is central to our food security,” Kagwe said.
The Galana/Kulalu project, spanning approximately 1.5 million acres along the Galana River, represents one of Kenya’s most ambitious attempts to turn dry land into a reliable food basket.
A flagship project with high stakes
Conceived as a transformative national project, Galana/Kulalu is designed to produce maize, horticultural crops, and support livestock farming at scale. If fully realized, officials say it could significantly reduce Kenya’s dependence on food imports while opening export opportunities.
According to CS Kagwe, the project’s scale gives it the potential to feed millions. “This project has the capacity to produce sufficient food for local consumption and surplus for export,” he noted, urging stakeholders to remain focused on results.
Beyond food production, the scheme is expected to create thousands of jobs, spur infrastructure development, and inject new economic life into Tana River County and neighboring regions.
Technology, investment and accountability
During the inspection, the Cabinet Secretary challenged investors and implementing partners to embrace modern agricultural technologies and innovative farming methods to maximize productivity and ensure sustainability.
Precision irrigation, climate-smart seeds, mechanization, and data-driven farming, he said, must underpin the project’s success if it is to withstand climate variability and deliver consistent yields.
The renewed push comes amid lessons drawn from earlier phases of Galana/Kulalu, which were marred by delays, implementation challenges, and public skepticism. This time, government officials insist the emphasis is firmly on accountability, efficiency, and measurable outcomes.
Food security in changing climate
Kenya’s renewed focus on irrigation reflects a broader shift in policy thinking. As climate change accelerates and rainfall patterns become increasingly unpredictable, reliance on rain-fed agriculture alone is proving unsustainable.
Large-scale irrigation schemes, alongside support for smallholder farmers, are now seen as critical pillars of the country’s food security framework under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
For communities in Tana River County, Galana/Kulalu carries both promise and expectation — a chance for employment, skills transfer, and economic growth in a region long marginalized by harsh climatic conditions.
From promise to production
As CS Kagwe concluded his tour, the message was clear: Galana/Kulalu is more than a government project — it is a test case for whether Kenya can adapt its agriculture to a changing climate and rising population.
Whether the vast fields of Tana River will finally deliver on their promise remains to be seen. But as drought tightens its grip on much of the country, the success of Galana/Kulalu could prove decisive in answering one critical question: can irrigation help feed a nation?
