Construction of Sh800 million Galana Kulalu bridge reaches 90 percent completion

Construction of the Sh800 million bridge across the Galana River is entering its final stages, with the government reporting a 90 percent completion rate on the critical infrastructure project. Principal Secretary for Irrigation Raymond Omollo visited the site in Kilifi County this week to assess the progress of the structure, which is designed to link the Galana Kulalu Food Security Project to the national transport network.

The project was commissioned to address a long-standing logistical bottleneck that has historically hindered operations within the irrigation scheme. For years, heavy seasonal rains caused the Galana River to swell, effectively cutting off the 1.7-million-acre site from the mainland. This isolation often halted the movement of machinery, personnel, and harvested produce, creating significant delays in the agricultural production cycle.

During his inspection, Omollo noted that the remaining work primarily involves the completion of the bridge deck and the construction of approach roads on either side of the river. The bridge is expected to be fully operational within the coming months, providing a permanent crossing that is not affected by fluctuating water levels. The PS stated that the government is prioritizing the completion of this link to ensure that the infrastructure supporting the irrigation scheme is robust enough to handle large-scale commercial farming activities.

The Galana Kulalu Food Security Project remains a central component of the national strategy to reduce reliance on rain-fed agriculture. While the scheme has faced various budgetary and management shifts since its inception, current efforts are focused on improving the underlying infrastructure to attract further investment. The bridge is seen as a prerequisite for the full-scale mechanization of the project, as it allows for the reliable delivery of fertilizers and the evacuation of maize and other crops.

Local authorities in Kilifi have previously highlighted that the lack of a reliable crossing also affected surrounding communities, who often struggled to access markets and essential services during the rainy season. By stabilizing the connection between the two banks of the river, the new bridge is intended to serve both the technical requirements of the irrigation scheme and the broader economic needs of the region.

The funding for the project, totaling approximately Sh800 million, has been channeled through the State Department for Irrigation. Omollo emphasized that the contractor is under instruction to adhere to the final timelines to avoid further cost escalations. The bridge design incorporates reinforced concrete piers and a steel superstructure capable of supporting heavy commercial vehicles, which will be essential as the irrigation project moves toward its next phase of expansion.

Engineers on site briefed the delegation on the technical challenges encountered during the construction phase, particularly the management of water flow during the previous rainy seasons. Despite these hurdles, the structural integrity of the main supports has been verified, and the focus has now shifted to the final surfacing and safety installations.

The completion of the bridge coincides with renewed government interest in revitalizing the Galana Kulalu scheme through public-private partnerships. With the logistical barrier of the river removed, the Ministry of Agriculture expects a reduction in the overhead costs associated with the project. The bridge is a specialized engineering feat for the region, given the width of the Galana River and the environmental conditions of the coastal hinterland.