The Kenyan government is advancing major infrastructure projects to unlock the full agricultural potential of the Galana/Kulalu Food Security Project in Kilifi County.
On Tuesday, Government Delivery Unit Coast Regional Director Sherry Litunya inspected multi-billion-shilling road, bridge, and electrification works, which are at various stages of completion, ranging from 30 to 99 per cent.
A key undertaking is the construction of the 200-metre-long Galana/Kulalu Bridge, being built for Sh1.493 billion under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA). Once completed, the bridge will connect the expansive irrigation scheme to the Malindi–Sala Gate Road, improving the delivery of farm inputs and the transportation of produce.
KeRRA Coast Regional Director Timothy Kendagor stated that major substructure works were complete, and the contractor had transitioned to superstructure works. He added that the bridge is expected to be ready by March 2026.
“There is a lot of maize under irrigation in this scheme, and this bridge is very critical in connecting the main Malindi-Salagate road to the Kalana Kulalu irrigation scheme,” he said. “In March (2026), we should be expecting the trucks going to the farm to be passing over this bridge,” he added.
Eng. Kendagor also noted that the Sh2.3 billion Baricho Bridge and Approach Roads project, about 50 kilometres downstream, is 95 per cent complete, with the bridge itself being 99 per cent done.
The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) has begun a Sh2.9 million project to connect the farm to the national grid, aiming to cut reliance on costly diesel-powered pumps.
REREC Senior Engineer Muigai Nicholas said civil works for a step-down substation inside the farm are 30 per cent complete. The power line, split into three sections, will run from Baolala to the Galana/Kulalu farm, with substations along the way.
“Here in the Galana area, we are stepping down the voltage from 66 to 33. Two transformers are being installed to support the scheme’s energy needs,” Eng Muigai explained.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is also repairing potholes on the Malindi–Sala Gate Road following a request from the National Irrigation Authority, which manages the scheme.
According to KeNHA Engineer Peter Maruti, there are plans to upgrade the road to accommodate heavy commercial vehicles transporting machinery and produce.
“There is a need to transport machines and farm produce efficiently. Strengthening this road will ensure it can handle heavy trucks in and out of the farm,” Eng Maruti said. The Malindi–Kakuyuni section is currently the most damaged, with numerous potholes disrupting transport.
Separately, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) is building a 10-kilometre link road from Gede Trading Centre to Kakuyuni, where it will join the Malindi–Sala Gate Road. The route will serve as a bypass for motorists heading to the farm and Tsavo East National Park without passing through Malindi town.
KURA Engineer Abdulhakim Mwalimu Mwakarani said 2.5 kilometres have been completed under the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) and estimated that Sh500 million will be needed to finish the work.
Residents of Mijomboni, where the road currently reaches, welcomed the project, saying it has eased transport. They, however, called for speed bumps to prevent accidents, citing speeding motorcycles as a growing hazard on the smooth surface.
