The Galana Kulalu food security project was a flop and a waste of tax payer’s money, a report by a parliamentary committee has revealed.

Audit verification of the project conducted on May 11, 2022 indicated that works were still ongoing, nine years since inception, with the management of the project awarding multiple contracts to unqualified companies.

According to a report by the Public Investments Committee on Commercial-Affairs and Energy, chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing (pictured), it is not clear why the management awarded the two different contracts to one firm instead of different firms to avoid delayed completion.  “In circumstances, it is not possible to confirm that the project will be completed within schedule, and realise its objectives without cost overruns,” reads the report.

President William Ruto has since stopped the planned subdivision of Galana Kulalu land into settlement parcels.

Ruto says that the land will instead be used for maize production. “I direct Private Sector and GOK (the National Irrigation Authority) under a Public–Private Partnership (PPP) to work on the ready 10,000 acres to produce food starting with maize in February,” he said.

Lease agreement

The National Irrigation Authority will oversee the project. He also announced that the government was in the process of constructing a dam as part of the project beginning in April.

President Ruto said that a further 10,000 acres will also be prepared for the production of food in the next six months under the Public-Private partnership.

The Lease Agreement between ADC and NIA dated April 7, 2014 in relation to the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, indicates that, the latter was to lease from the former 20,000 acres of land. However, the Contract Agreement between the contractor and the Authority reflects that only 10,000 acres of land were to be utilised and that the remaining 10,000 acres were idle and will remain so since they were not included in the model farm programme.

The statement of financial position reflects payables from the exchange transaction of Sh. 1.4 billion as disclosed in the financial statements.