The push to turn Galana Kulalu area into a more attractive destination for investors keen on food production has received a boost with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe announcing plans to designate the area as a special economic zone.

According to CS Kagwe, the gazettment is part of the government's ongoing reforms aimed at transforming the country's large-scale farming potential by opening up avenues that encourage faster private-sector utilisation of the expansive land in Tana River County.

Kagwe was speaking on Tuesday during the launch of a One-Stop Land Commercialization Office. He noted that the SEZ designation of Galana Kulalu will offer strong investment incentives, attract global agribusiness players, and boost value addition in edible oils, cereals, horticulture, livestock and industrial crops.

The new investment status will also see potential investors benefit from tax benefits, simplified approvals, and improved infrastructure usually associated with setting based in SEZs.

"The Government is expanding the Land Commercialization Initiative (LCI) to cover idle land in counties, prison farms, and other public institutions to support food security, manufacturing, and job creation. Kenya cannot afford idle land while importing food,” CS Kagwe explained.

According to the CS, his Ministry has established a One-Stop LCI Office to consolidate all approval processes, enabling investors to acquire land for agriculture within a month in yet another measure designed at tackling delays that hinder investment.

Kagwe highlighted private-sector investment as the key driver of Kenya’s agricultural future, citing Nyumba Group, which has been leased 300,000 acres and invested over $50 million

Their work has opened 20,000 acres, built major irrigation systems, and created over 3,000 jobs. 

The Ministry of Agriculture is currently leasing 1.8 million acres to private investors under LCI, the largest land commercialization effort in Kenya’s history.

CS Kagwe reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to a results-driven land strategy to secure food security, attract capital, create jobs, and end the era of idle public land.

[email protected]