The sleeping giant of Kenyan agriculture is finally waking up. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has announced that the critical Galana-Kulalu bridge is 90% complete, a logistical breakthrough that promises to unlock the full potential of the 1.8-million-acre food security project.

For years, the Galana-Kulalu project has been dismissed by critics as a "white elephant," a sinkhole for billions of shillings with little to show. But during an extensive site tour, PS Omollo painted a different picture—one of imminent transformation. The bridge, linking Kilifi and Tana River counties, is the missing artery needed to pump life into the region’s mechanized farming strategy.

Cutting the Import Bill

"This is not just a bridge; it is a gateway to food sovereignty," Omollo declared. The government’s strategy is clear: operationalize Galana-Kulalu to slash Kenya’s crippling reliance on food imports. Currently, the country imports over 80% of its rice and 90% of its wheat, a dependency that leaves mwananchi vulnerable to global price shocks.

With the bridge nearing completion, the movement of heavy machinery, farm inputs, and harvested produce will become seamless. The project is designed to put thousands of acres under maize and cotton production, using the Galana River’s waters for year-round irrigation.

• The Specs: The bridge spans the Galana River, replacing a perilous crossing that often cut off the farm during rainy seasons.
• The Benefits: Beyond the farm, the bridge will boost trade between the coastal counties of Kilifi and Tana River, opening up the hinterland to markets in Malindi and Mombasa.
• The Security Angle: As an Interior PS, Omollo emphasized that food security is national security. "A hungry nation is an unstable nation. We are securing our future here," he noted.

A Race Against Time

The completion of the infrastructure comes as President Ruto’s administration pushes the "Bottom-Up" agenda, banking on agriculture to lower the cost of living. The pressure to deliver is immense.

If Galana-Kulalu delivers on its promise, it could lower the price of unga and create thousands of jobs. If it fails, it will remain a monument to wasted potential. With the bridge 90% done, the excuses are running out.