Government to gazette Galana Kulalu as Special Economic Zone to attract investors

By Benson Ltamely

The government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has announced plans to gazette Galana Kulalu Irrigation Development as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to attract global agribusiness investors by offering of strong investment incentives.

According to Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, the ministry’s Cabinet Secretary (CS), the move which comes amid the launch of a One-Stop Land Commercialisation Initiative (LCI) Office will ensure faster private-sector participation in utilizing idle public land will also boost value addition in edible oils, cereals, horticulture, livestock and industrial crops.

Speaking during a briefing on the ongoing agricultural transformation efforts on Tuesday, CS Kagwe observed that the move to designate Galana Kulalu as an SEZ will also provide tax benefits, simplified approvals and improved infrastructure.

The CS further announced that the government is expanding the LCI to cover idle land in counties, prison farms and other public institutions to support food security, manufacturing and job creation while mandating the One-Stop LCI Office to consolidate all approval processes while enabling investors to acquire land for agriculture within a month.

“Kenya cannot afford idle land while we are importing food. All counties must bring forward land that can be productive and we will partner with private investors to unlock its full value,” Kagwe said.

While reaffirming the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development’s commitment to a results-driven land strategy that will secure food security, attract capital, create jobs and end the era of idle public land, CS Kagwe noted that private-sector investment is the key driver of Kenya’s agricultural future.

CS Kagwe highlighted Nyumba Group, which has been leased 300,000 acres and invested over $50 million, as a strong example noting that their work has opened 20,000 acres, built major irrigation systems and created over 3,000 jobs.

Under the LCI, according to CS Kagwe, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is currently leasing 1.8 million acres of land to private investors. This, CS Kagwe says, is the largest land commercialization effort in Kenya’s history.