Sh 7.3 billion Galana-Kulalu project yet to complete needs another Sh 600 Million -PS Karanja Kibicho

Galana Kulalu irrigation project. PHOTO | STAR

Interior PS Karanja Kibicho visits the Sh7.3 billion Galana-Kulalu project to check on the progress as per President Uhuru Kenyatta directive that no other project should be started on 2020/2021 financial year.

The PS, who was accompanied by other government officials including National Irrigation Authority officials, said that the project on 10,000 acres is 85 per cent complete.

 The National Irrigation Authority (NIA) is now seeking Sh600 million from the government to complete the remaining 15%.

The project combines a drip irrigation system for production of maize and other high-value crops like bananas and mangoes.

The project, seating in Kilifi and Tana River counties, will be taken for a viability test before handover to the private sector.

“This fact-finding mission has allowed us to evaluate the viability of this project and whether it’s suitable for continuation or not. Of the 10,000acres, 5, 200 acres are already in use. But at full utilisation, the water from Tana River can sustain 20,000 acres,” he said.