Daniel M. Nzonzo, HSC.

This multi-agency partnership underlines NIA's ongoing commitment to optimizing public agricultural infrastructure, accelerating land recovery, and securing national food safety in alignment with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA).

Teams on-site are working toward clearing the entire 2,000-acre block while simultaneously constructing a 9.7 km irrigation canal extension by end of November to ensure sustainable water delivery across the expanded production zone.

Operational activities on the ground are progressing rapidly, with 120 acres currently under crop cultivation and 520 acres already bush cleared.

Under this joint initiative aimed at driving national agricultural transformation, NIA has allocated 2,000 acres of scheme land to the NYS for commercial production of maize, rice, and fodder.

NIA Board Chairman, Eng. Gilbert Maluki, accompanied by Director Simon Ngugi today led an inspection visit and commissioning of the first crop under the strategic collaboration between NIA and the National Youth Service (NYS) at Bura Irrigation Scheme in Tana River County.

Cont… advancing the national food security agenda as espoused in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Through the project, the National Irrigation Authority remains committed to unlocking the country’s agricultural potential, expanding irrigated land, creating employment opportunities, particularly and …

The progress at Galana Kulalu demonstrates the transformative impact of irrigation development, strategic public-private partnerships and sustained investment in agricultural infrastructure.

The bridge provides a direct connection between Kilifi and Tana River counties to the Malindi-Sala Gate Road, significantly improving accessibility and easing the transportation of agricultural inputs, produce and other essential commodities to markets.

The tour further included an inspection of the newly constructed 200-metre Galana Kulalu Bridge across the Galana River.

The dam is expected to provide a sustainable, year-round water supply to support irrigation across up to 300,000 acres. The National Irrigation Authority has already signed the contract for the project, with preparations for its launch at an advanced stage.

To further strengthen water security and support the project’s long-term expansion, the Authority is advancing plans for the construction of the 305 million cubic metre Athi Dam upstream.

The reservoir draws water from the Galana River and serves as a desilting basin, minimising sediment accumulation and reducing wear and tear on irrigation infrastructure while ensuring a reliable water supply for agricultural production across two cropping seasons annually.

The delegation also inspected the Galana Kulalu Water Reservoir, with a storage capacity of 450,000 cubic metres.

During the visit, the Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service commissioned a 1MW solar power plant installed by the investors to provide clean and affordable energy to support irrigation pumping operations and packhouse activities.

Cropping will be increased progressively to 20,000 acres using the available water resources and installed irrigation infrastructure.

Currently, approximately 2,000 acres is under seed maize while an additional 2,000 acres is targeted to be put under Soya Beans and 2,000 acres under commercial maize.

Following years of infrastructure development, the impact of the project is being realised and more is set to come with progressive increment in area under irrigation.

Later the team visited Galana Kulalu Food Security Project in Kilifi and Tana River Counties to inspect the remarkable progress made in revitalising the Project by the National Irrigation Authority through strategic partnership with private investors.

The National Irrigation Authority remains committed to steering the country towards food security in line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.