Kenya on Tuesday signed a KSh40 billion contract for the construction of the Galana Kulalu (Athi) Dam, a major irrigation initiative expected to transform agriculture in Tana River and Kilifi counties, as part of the country’s long-term food security strategy.
The contract was signed by Eng. Charles Muasya, Chief Executive Officer of the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), and Ms. Du Shan, Deputy General Manager of China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) Kenya. This marks the official launch of the engineering, procurement, construction, and financing of the Athi Dam and its associated irrigation water conveyance system.
In a statement issued after the signing, NIA indicated that the project would be a game-changer for Kenya’s agricultural sector.
“Today’s contract signing signifies a direct response to the Government’s commitment to lowering the cost of living and achieving national food security by transitioning from rain-fed to irrigation-based agriculture,” NIA noted
“Designed as a massive reservoir with a capacity of 305 million cubic metres, the dam is expected to deliver an annual average of one billion cubic metres of water, enabling the irrigation of up to 300,000 acres for at least two cropping seasons each year,” the authority added.
According to NIA, the project directly aligns with the Government’s aims to lower the cost of living and ensure stable food supplies by reducing reliance on unpredictable rainfall.
With the contract signed, technical teams have been given the green light to establish a base within the 1.75 million-acre Galana and Kulalu ranches. These teams will commence detailed evaluations, groundwork, and construction activities to ensure optimal utilization of the Athi/Galana River system.
In addition to irrigation, the project is expected to provide safe drinking water to over 70,000 people while supporting the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), particularly in the areas of affordable energy, sanitation, and healthcare.
NIA says the dam will catalyze the transformation of the coastal region into a vibrant agri-industrial park, supported by integrated infrastructure such as roads, power and logistics networks, alongside modern processing facilities.
“By reducing post-harvest losses and aggregating production, the project will catalyze manufacturing through value addition while supporting social infrastructure including schools, housing and health centres,” the authority noted.
The initiative is also expected to create thousands of jobs for Kenyan youth, boost agri-processing capacity, and enhance crop, livestock, and fish production.
“Once completed, the Athi Dam and the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project will stand as a cornerstone of Kenya’s agricultural transformation, optimizing crop, livestock and fish production to significantly contribute to national food security,” it said
