The Government has announced sweeping reforms that will reposition Kenya’s large-scale farming potential, including the gazettement of Galana Kulalu as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the formation of a One-Stop Land Commercialization Office, and the acceleration of private-sector participation in unlocking idle public land across the country.
Speaking during a briefing on ongoing agricultural transformation efforts, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe said the move to designate Galana Kulalu as an SEZ will offer strong investment incentives, attract global agribusiness players, and fast-track value addition in edible oils, cereals, horticulture, livestock and industrial crops.
The SEZ status will also enable tax benefits, simplified regulatory approvals, and enhanced infrastructure support for investors working within the expansive block.
The CS further revealed that the Government would expand the Land Commercialization Initiative (LCI) to include idle land in counties, prison farms, and other government institutions, ensuring that all available public land contributes to national food security, manufacturing and job creation.
“Kenya cannot afford idle land while we are importing food,” Kagwe said. “All counties must bring forward land that can be productive, and we will partner with private investors to unlock its full value,” he said.
To remove bureaucratic delays that have historically slowed agricultural investment, the Ministry has established a One-Stop LCI Office which now consolidates all approval processes.
Through this mechanism, Kagwe confirmed that investors would be able to acquire land for agricultural ventures within a month, a move expected to dramatically increase Kenya’s competitiveness as an agri-investment destination.
Kagwe emphasized that private-sector investment, especially capital-intensive ventures that create jobs, would be the ultimate game changer for Kenya’s agricultural future.
He highlighted Nyumba Group as a leading example of what committed investors could achieve under LCI. The company, which has been leased 300,000 acres, has already invested over USD50M (approximately Sh7.5 billion) in developing the farm and constructing irrigation infrastructure.
Their work has so far created more than 3,000 jobs, providing livelihoods and stimulating economic activity in the coastal region.
Nyumba Group’s transformation includes the opening and preparation of 20,000 acres, large-scale production of edible oil crops and food crops, installation of dams, canals, and massive irrigation systems, demonstrating the practical success of the government’s commercialization agenda.
Currently, the Ministry is leasing 1.8 million acres of land to private investors under the LCI framework, making it the largest coordinated land commercialization effort in Kenya’s history. These leases target high potential zones for edible oils, cereal production, horticulture, livestock feed, irrigated agriculture, and agro-industrial development.
CS Kagwe reaffirmed that the Ministry remains committed to a results-driven land strategy that ensures Kenya becomes food secure, export competitive, and an attractive destination for serious agricultural investors.
“The era of idle land is over. This initiative will create jobs, grow industries, attract capital and secure our nation’s agricultural future,” he said.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
