PS Ephantus Kimotho Hosts Nebraska Delegation at Galana Kulalu

In the heart of Kilifi and Tana River counties lies one of Kenya’s most ambitious agricultural undertakings, the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project. On a recent visit, Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho welcomed a high-level delegation from the state of Nebraska in the United States, led by Secretary of State Robert Evnen. The visit was more than a ceremonial tour; it was a meeting of ideas, experiences, and aspirations about how nations can confront the challenge of food security in a changing world.

A Meeting Rooted in Shared Aspirations

Food security has emerged as one of the defining issues of our time. From climate change and unpredictable rainfall patterns to growing populations and the rising cost of living, governments are under pressure to ensure their citizens have reliable access to affordable and nutritious food.

It is within this global context that Nebraska’s delegation stood alongside Kenyan officials at Galana Kulalu. Nebraska, known for its advanced irrigation systems and large-scale farming, has much to share in terms of agricultural expertise. Kenya, on the other hand, is charting a transformative path through irrigation-led projects that align with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA). Together, the two sides found common ground in a shared commitment to resilience, innovation, and sustainability.

More Than a Project

For many Kenyans, Galana Kulalu has become synonymous with the nation’s determination to confront food insecurity head-on. Stretching across vast tracts of land, it is not just an irrigation scheme; it is a living demonstration of what modern agriculture can achieve when supported by vision and technology.

The scale of food production already underway impressed the visiting delegation. Fields that were once arid and underutilised now hold crops that feed communities and markets. This transformation speaks not only to infrastructure and technology but also to Kenya’s ability to adapt and thrive in the face of environmental and economic challenges.

Employment and Community Transformation

One of the most encouraging outcomes of Galana Kulalu is its direct impact on local communities. Projects of this size are not abstract policy statements; they are lived realities for the people on the ground. As PS Ephantus Kimotho observed during the visit, Galana Kulalu has become a source of direct employment for many residents.

Beyond wages, this employment is a gateway to empowerment. Families now have income to educate their children, invest in small enterprises, and access better healthcare. Regional development is no longer a distant promise but a visible transformation taking root in homes and communities. For young people especially, the project offers opportunities to build careers in agriculture, engineering, and related fields; sectors that will define Kenya’s future.

BeTA and the National Food Security Agenda

The Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA) is the cornerstone of the current administration’s development strategy. Food security, as a key pillar of BeTA, is not treated as an isolated policy goal but as a foundation upon which other priorities rest. Without stable food systems, economic empowerment, healthcare, education, and industrialisation cannot flourish.

Galana Kulalu is therefore more than a regional initiative; it is a national flagship. By harnessing irrigation and modern agricultural practices, the project demonstrates what BeTA looks like in action. Each harvest represents not just food on the table but also a step closer to self-sufficiency, resilience, and dignity for Kenyan households.

Lessons in Irrigation and Innovation

The Nebraska delegation’s presence underscored the importance of knowledge exchange in agriculture. Nebraska has built a reputation as one of the world’s leaders in irrigation farming, managing vast fields with precision technology that maximises yields while conserving water. Kenya, in turn, is blending international best practices with local innovation to design systems that respond to its unique climate and social dynamics.

This exchange of ideas reflects a global truth: food security is a universal challenge, and no nation can afford to pursue solutions in isolation. Partnerships allow for the sharing of technologies, financing models, and capacity-building strategies that accelerate progress. Galana Kulalu stands as a platform where such collaboration can thrive.

Building Resilience in the Face of Climate Change

One cannot speak of agriculture today without acknowledging the reality of climate change. Erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, and floods have all left their mark on Kenya’s food systems. Rain-fed agriculture alone can no longer guarantee sufficient yields for a growing population.

Galana Kulalu’s reliance on irrigation is therefore a strategic pivot. By reducing dependence on rainfall and integrating modern practices, Kenya is building resilience into its food systems. Irrigation ensures that planting and harvesting follow predictable schedules, making it possible to meet market demands consistently. This reliability is vital not only for household food supplies but also for stabilising food prices across the country.

Economic Ripple Effects

The success of Galana Kulalu extends beyond farms and households. As agricultural productivity increases, new opportunities emerge along the value chain. Transporters move crops from fields to markets, traders benefit from steady supplies, and processors find raw materials for value addition.

Such ripple effects illustrate how food security ties directly into economic growth. An empowered farmer supports a vibrant economy, while a food-secure nation lays the foundation for industrialisation and innovation. By anchoring its agricultural strategy in large-scale projects like Galana Kulalu, Kenya is also investing in the broader prosperity of its people.

Irrigation as a Path to Sovereignty

At the heart of food security is sovereignty; the ability of a nation to provide for itself without overreliance on external markets. Global supply chain disruptions, from pandemics to geopolitical conflicts, have demonstrated how fragile dependence on imports can be.

Galana Kulalu offers a different path. By producing more food domestically, Kenya reduces its vulnerability to external shocks. It strengthens its sovereignty while positioning itself as a potential exporter of surplus produce to neighbouring countries. Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho’s stewardship of this initiative is therefore not only about today’s food supplies but about safeguarding Kenya’s future autonomy.

The Human Story Behind the Fields

Projects of this magnitude often risk being reduced to statistics: acres under cultivation, tonnes of maize harvested, or jobs created. Yet, behind every number is a human story. A young man who once struggled to find work now supports his family as a farmhand. A mother who depended on seasonal income now enjoys stability through steady employment. A community that once migrated in search of water and pasture now finds opportunity within reach.

These stories are what make Galana Kulalu a success beyond technical metrics. They reveal the heartbeat of the project; the lives touched and the dignity restored. It is this human dimension that elevates the initiative from policy to lived reality.

A Vision for the Future

As the visit concluded, one message was unmistakable: Galana Kulalu is not just about feeding Kenya today but about shaping the country’s future. It is about equipping communities with the tools to thrive in a changing world. It is about creating a model that can be replicated across regions to transform Kenya into a food-secure, resilient, and prosperous nation.

The partnership with Nebraska and other global players signals Kenya’s openness to learning, sharing, and innovating. Under the leadership of PS Ephantus Kimotho, Galana Kulalu stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when vision, commitment, and collaboration converge.

Irrigation as a Promise of Hope

The Galana Kulalu Food Security Project is more than a flagship initiative; it is a promise of hope. Hope that every Kenyan household will one day enjoy reliable access to food. Hope that communities once left behind will find opportunity in agriculture. Hope that Kenya will stand resilient in the face of climate change and global uncertainty.

Through his leadership, Irrigation PS Ephantus Kimotho has shown that irrigation is not simply about water and crops. It is about livelihoods, dignity, and the sovereignty of a nation. Galana Kulalu embodies Kenya’s determination to transform challenges into opportunities and aspirations into realities.

As the sun sets over the irrigated fields of Galana Kulalu, the vision is clear: a Kenya that feeds itself, empowers its people, and builds prosperity from the ground up.

Article by Victor Patience Oyuko. To buy coffee: 0708883777