Ruto: Why Kenya awarded private firms to run Galana Kulalu

In the plan, a total of 250,000 acres will be brought under irrigation.

Of this, 20,000 acres are allocated to Selu Limited, 50,000 acres to Nyumbani Foundation and 180,000 acres to Al Dahra of the UAE.

The Head of State pledged to revolutionise the agricultural sector to secure Kenya's food basket through the irrigation project, which he acknowledged had stalled due to rhetoric.

Speaking during the inspection of the multimillion-dollar project in the outskirts of Kilifi County, President Ruto said the state, in conjunction with private partners, will further construct a big dam near River Tana to harvest water for irrigation.

President Ruto said he will ensure Kenya taps into the Agricultural sector to enhance food production, create jobs, value addition, and agro-processing for export.

"This State project has taken a long time to kick off, but this time it will come to fruition. Hakuna kizungu mingi na kiswahili mingi (No more rhetoric). We are now working. I am happy to return here after 18 months. We have built a new intake that will ensure water flows to the farms. We have agreed as a government alongside stakeholders that they will start production," said President Ruto.

The President’s visit to the Galana Kulalu project follows the completion of construction works on the siltation basin and canal.

Two years ago, President Ruto directed the construction of key infrastructure, including an intake, pump station, inlet canal, reservoir, outlet canal, and off-take reservoir.

The Sh519.4 million infrastructure is now fully built and undergoing final testing. It comprises a 753-metre inlet canal, a 450 million-litre reservoir, a 1,210-metre outlet canal, and a 20 million-litre off-take sump.

The Head of State, who was accompanied by senior government officials, said Selu will start cultivation in a 20,000 acre farm from next week.

President Ruto was accompanied by businessman Peter Njonjo, who owns Selu Africa Limited.

Mr Njonjo, who co-founded Twiga Foods before leaving last year, will run the 20,000-acre farm in the irrigation project.

"We have two private firms, but one, Selu Company, has already set base here, ready to kick start food production in a 20,000-acre farm. Another company from the United Arab Emirates will also invest here to produce food. I was in the UAE and we agreed with the President that one of their company will invest here to produce food and create jobs,” said the President of a meeting with his UAE counterpart, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Head of State said the project will create jobs and ensure food sufficiency for export.

In an earlier interview, Selu's chief executive officer, Nicholas Ambanya, said the company plans to inject over 80 million US Dollars (about Sh13 billion) into the project over a period of three years.

The firm, Mr Ambanya said in July last year, will put in an initial 80 million US Dollars (about Sh10.6 billion) to open up 20,000 acres of land for irrigation over a three-year period.

“We look forward to injecting 80 million US Dollars in the first three years of this project, which will see us put up an investment covering 20,000 acres of land. From there, we will put another approximately 800 million US Dollars in a period of seven years, which added to the three years, will be a total of ten years, to commercialise a whole 200,000 acres,” Mr Ambanya said then.

President Ruto said the Galana Kulalu project will also be used to produce animal feed to boost livestock farming in the country.

He announced that a private company will begin farming next week.

To ensure that water from River Galana is well-utilised, President Ruto said a dam will be built to guarantee an adequate water supply to the irrigation project.

The President also inspected the construction of the Galana-Kulalu Bridge and access road, critical infrastructure that will facilitate the efficient movement of produce from the farms to market.

It features a 200-metre bridge and access roads at a cost of Sh1.5 billion.

Later, he inspected the electrification of the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, which will lower the cost of production by eliminating the use of diesel to power the farm.

The Sh2.9 billion electrification project will support sustainable food security and facilitate agro-processing facilities within the irrigation scheme.

Power supply is currently being installed by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), with completion expected by 2026.

At the same time, President Ruto announced that the National Government will construct a dam in the area through a public-private partnership on a 50-50 agreement.

"To ensure the water from the River Tana is fully utilised in the farm, we must build a big dam in this area. We have already conducted research on its feasibility. The dam ensures we have sufficient water for farming and other uses. We don't want to endure hunger shame anymore," said President Ruto.

The Head of State said pastoralists from the region will also benefit from the farming project and ensure their cattle get pasture from the farm.

The President said the project will also boost the economy of Tana River. 

Meanwhile, the Head of State took a swipe at his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying he will not engage in politics.

Instead, President Ruto said he is focusing on improving the health sector, enhancing electricity connectivity, education, food production, road infrastructure and job creation.  

"It is not time for politics, propagating ethnicity, engaging in political parties or coalition talks. It's time for Kenyans to unite and work on enhancing the lives of our people. Let's work towards creating jobs for our youths, enhancing health and educating our children. Time for elections will come and Kenyans will decide whom to elect," pleaded the Head of State.

The President said no one will be elected based on the venom spewed, but rather on the development projects seen by Kenyans.

“You cannot be elected on the number of venom you spewed or songs you sang. Kenyans will gauge you on tangible development projects. Kenyans want to see their children educated, have enhanced health, and have constructed roads, among other critical issues. But for now, let’s focus on developments,” added Dr Ruto.

The president said he will not engage in politics, adding that he will continue seeking peace and unity among leaders and the electorate.

He further assured Kenyans that he will not discriminate against the electorate based on their political stand.

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