Ruto Revokes Planned Galana Kulalu Settlement Scheme, Issues Fresh Directives

President William Ruto, governors Johnson Sakaja, bdulswamad Shaeriff and Gideon Muranga during a visit to the Galana Kulalu project on January 3, 2022.
President William Ruto, governors Johnson Sakaja, Abdulswamad Shariff and Gideon Muranga during a visit to the Galana Kulalu project on January 3, 2022.
Johnson Sakaja

President William Ruto on Tuesday, January 3, revoked the planned subdivision of the vast Galana Kulalu land for settlement purposes.

In a statement, the Head of State declared that the land would not be subdivided for human settlement as initially planned noting that the 10,000 acres would be used to enhance food production.

He explained that the order came following an extensive consultation with the leadership at the national and county levels during which a resolution was reached to focus on food security.

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President William Ruto addresses Kenyans at State House Mombasa on Sunday, January 1, 2023.
PCS

"After an extensive tour of the Galana Kulalu national food security project, the planned subdivision into settlement parcels is revoked," the statement read in part.

Ruto further noted that the land would exclusively be used to encourage food production through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between firms and the National Irrigation Authority (NIA).

"Private companies and NIA through PPP to work on the ready 10,000 acres to produce food starting with maize in February," the Ruto added.

The Head of State further instructed that the next 10,000 acres be prepared for agricultural activities in a period of six months.

To realize food production on the 350,000 acres of land, Ruto revealed that the government would construct a dam to provide water which will be fed into the cultivation area.

"The government work out a model for PPP food production in the 350,000 acres to be ready in 6 months. All actors to execute timeously," he instructed.

The new directive comes against the backdrop of a food shortage in the country which saw the price of maize flour and rice skyrocket in 2022.

In his New Year's address to the nation, the President maintained that his government would focus on increasing food production hence lowering the cost.

On January 3, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi disclosed that the cost of maize flour in the country will begin to drop in March.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi during a meeting with the Council of Governors on Monday, November 28, 2022.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi during a meeting with the Council of Governors on Monday, November 28, 2022.
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Ministry of Agriculture