Ruto plans US$231.3M dam to expand sugarcane production at Galana-Kulalu
The proposed dam is expected to support irrigation at Galana-Kulalu as Kenya seeks to increase domestic sugar production and reduce reliance on imports.
KENYA – President William Ruto has announced plans to expand sugarcane production at the Galana-Kulalu irrigation scheme, with the National Infrastructure Fund expected to finance a major dam for the project.
Speaking during a media engagement on October 1, 2026, Ruto said irrigation would be central to developing sugarcane farming along Kenya’s Coast, where he said the crop could mature faster than in other parts of the country.
“So my plan is that that Galana Kulalu which is shared between Tana River and Kilif that is where we are going to produce our sugar. And already the first dam has been contracted. It’s going to cost us about 30 billion,” he said.
Ruto said the government was prioritising water infrastructure in areas with potential for agricultural production. He added that the National Infrastructure Fund would support water infrastructure at the Coast, including the Galana-Kulalu project.
The president also pointed to developments at Bura, where he said 45,000 acres had been allocated to two companies for sugarcane production. According to Ruto, the companies had completed trials, with results indicating that sugarcane could be produced successfully in the area.
The Galana-Kulalu and Bura projects form part of government efforts to increase domestic sugarcane production and reduce reliance on imported sugar.
The Galana-Kulalu project is shared between Kilifi and Tana River counties. In 2025, the State Department for Irrigation said a planned major dam would support irrigation of up to 200,000 acres at the scheme.
The government’s latest plans come as Kenya’s sugar sector records stronger production. Data from the Kenya Sugar Board showed domestic sugar production reached 528,874 tonnes in the first seven months to July.
July recorded the industry’s strongest monthly performance, with production reaching 91,022 tonnes as cane deliveries exceeded one million tonnes for the first time. Deliveries stood at 1.013 million tonnes, more than double the 501,604 tonnes recorded in July 2025 and above the previous monthly record of 998,010 tonnes set in June.
Ruto also linked the expansion plans to wider sugar-sector reforms. During a tour of Migori County on September 16, he said sugarcane farmers would receive a bonus in October following the revival of South Nyanza Sugar Company.
Under the model, 50% of annual rent from private operators of leased sugar factories is shared among cane suppliers on a pro-rata basis. The arrangement was first implemented at Mumias in January 2025, when Kes 150 million (US$1.16M) was distributed to farmers.
The government has said the reforms are intended to improve mill operations, speed up payments to farmers and increase sugarcane production.
At Galana-Kulalu, the planned dam will provide the water infrastructure required to support the expansion of sugarcane farming, while developments at Bura are expected to add further production capacity.
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