This archive report was first published on 20 May 2020.
On May 20, 2020, the Treasury allocated a paltry Sh10 million to the Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme in the 2020/21 financial year.
The allocation is a significant reduction from the Sh9 billion the National Irrigation Authority (NIA) had anticipated for the year starting July 1.
The Treasury plans to invest Sh10 million per year on the flood security project, up to 2022, meaning the flagship irrigation project will have received Sh30 million by the time President Kenyatta's term ends.
According to Charles Muasya, the Galana-Kulalu Food Security project manager, the Sh10 million allocation is for normal operations and maintenance for the section of the farm that the NIA took over from an Israeli contractor.
Had the NIA gotten its way, Sh4.2 billion would have financed electricity connection, while the rest would have been invested in reclaiming additional 10,000 acres and buying irrigation equipment.
Mr. Muasya stated that the model farm is sustaining itself, and the NIA is preparing 1,500 acres of land to be put under crop.
He added that negotiations are ongoing to see if the NIA can access Sh2.4 billion that has not been utilised from the proceeds of a loan secured for infrastructure development.
