Food the Kenya

The William Ruto administration has started handing out parts of Kenya's multi-billion food security project to private investors, signalling a policy shift from former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.

Architect firm Twiga Foods has already started maize farming at the Galana Kulalu irrigation scheme as it seeks to introduce other crops in a 20,000-acre plan under a public-private partnership (PPP) design.

The project has also attracted interest from firms in the US and Qatar. This is the latest major win by the firm co-founded by businessman Peter Njonja, whose model has won the heart of the President who recently ordered the ministries of Trade and Cooperatives to give it Sh300 million from the Hustler Fund for lending to its suppliers.

Principal Secretary for Irrigation Gitonga Mugambi said the choice of Twiga was based on the work that they had done locally.

Read: Galana-Kulalu to offer private firms 5000 acres in February

“We have visited the farms where Twiga is doing production and we were convinced that they are the best. They will not only help us in achieving food security but also create employment,” said Mr Mugambi.