200-Metre Galana-Kulalu Bridge Completed, Replacing Baricho Diversion

The 200-metre Galana-Kulalu Bridge has been completed. It now provides a direct crossing over the Galana River between Kilifi and Tana River counties. This infrastructure directly supports the one-million-acre Galana-Kulalu Food Security Project, a major irrigation effort in the coastal region.

Travelers and commercial transporters previously had to use a lengthy diversion through Baricho. The new bridge eliminates that detour by connecting straight to the Malindi-Sala Gate Road. The change cuts both distance and journey times for those moving goods in the area.

New bridge who dis? /Handout

Farm inputs such as fertiliser and seeds can now reach production sites more readily. Harvested crops stand a better chance of reaching buyers while still fresh. Overall transport costs for operators in the scheme are likely to fall as a result of the shorter route.

The bridge announcement came alongside updates on approach roads. A 15-kilometre stretch is under construction to bitumen standard. These roads will improve links between the irrigation fields and the main Malindi-Nairobi highway.

The approach roads. /Handout

Better road surfaces in this network should ease the movement of heavy farm machinery and trucks. They also open improved pathways toward tourism areas in Malindi and Tsavo. The combined effect could broaden economic activity for residents in the surrounding villages.

The State Department for Internal Security and National Administration has kept security arrangements in place. Teams manage traffic and conduct safety awareness along the affected routes. These measures cover both the finished bridge and the active construction sites for the approach roads.

Coordination of this kind helps prevent incidents that could disrupt progress or endanger users. It supports the overall goal of delivering reliable infrastructure that serves the agricultural project without interruption.

The Galana-Kulalu scheme operates in Kilifi and Tana River counties, roughly 105 kilometres from Malindi town. The area borders Tsavo East National Park in parts. Road access has been identified as essential for bringing the full land area into productive use under irrigation.

Completion of the bridge represents the end of a construction phase that saw steady progress through recent months. Approach road works remain active as contractors push to finish the bitumen upgrade. Together the two elements strengthen the physical backbone of the food security initiative.

Officials note that the infrastructure will aid service delivery and investment interest in the region. Communities on either side of the river gain from the easier passage. The project continues to draw attention as one of the government’s priority agricultural developments in the coast.

The arid conditions in the project zone require infrastructure that can handle seasonal river changes. The bridge and roads form part of a broader push to make the scheme viable year round. Updates from the Principal Secretary highlighted the role of coordinated security in protecting the asset and users.

Further development of the scheme includes plans for power supply and other support systems. The road and bridge works however stand out as immediate enablers of daily operations at the farms and processing points. As the approach roads near completion, attention will likely turn to maintenance schedules and integration with other county road networks.