Head of Public Service Felix Koskei has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a key strategy for accelerating Kenya’s national development and enhancing food security.
Speaking during a tour of the Galana Kulalu Irrigation Project in Kilifi County, Koskei underscored the potential of PPPs to transform Kenya’s agricultural landscape and stimulate economic growth.
“When this administration came to power, we realized that the fiscal space was so tight. The tax base was narrow. It was impossible to collect taxes and invest the same for huge, serious projects like this one. We are steadily moving toward self-reliance, and these partnerships are key to getting us there,” he explained.
“Galana Kulalu stands out as a successful example of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) that is advancing Kenya’s agricultural development agenda,” Koskei stated.
The Galana Kulalu project features mechanized farming and established irrigation infrastructure capable of supporting up to 12,000 acres of productive land. Currently, 700 acres are under seed maize cultivation, demonstrating progress towards the country’s food sufficiency objectives.
Koskei, who also serves as Chief of Staff at State House, further highlighted the broader vision under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), where agriculture is a key pillar.
He noted that irrigation remains a strategic intervention to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture and mitigate food insecurity caused by climate variability.
“The State Department for Irrigation, in collaboration with development partners, remains committed to achieving the target of bringing one million acres under irrigation within the next ten years, a cornerstone of the country’s food security strategy,” he stated.
Koskei was accompanied by Irrigation Principal Secretary Ephantus Kimotho, his ASALs counterpart Kello Harsama, National Irrigation Authority (NIA) Chairman Eng. Gilbert Maluki, and NIA CEO Eng. Charles Muasya.
