The signing of the KSh40 billion contract for the construction of Galana Kulalu Dam will strengthen our food security by irrigating up to 300,000 acres at Galana Kulalu in Tana River and Kilifi counties. This is a bold step in our transition from rain-fed farming to reliable, large-scale irrigation. The agreement between the National Irrigation Authority and China Communications Construction Company Kenya Ltd covers engineering, construction and financing of the dam and its irrigation water conveyance system. The dam will hold 305 million cubic metres of water and is expected to deliver an annual one billion cubic metres. The project will also supply safe drinking water to 70,000 households, improving health and dignity for local communities. By strengthening agricultural productivity and food security, we will stabilise food prices, reduce imports, grow exports and expand agro-processing and value addition. This will create thousands of jobs for our young people and drive inclusive economic growth. This dam is a joint investment project between the Governments of Kenya and the United Arab Emirates, and China Communications Construction Company Kenya Ltd. The contribution of the Kenya Government will come from the National Infrastructure Fund and return on this investment will be made possible by the Water Purchase Agreement Framework that is already part of our country’s legal infrastructure. National Irrigation Authority CEO Charles Muasya and China Communications Construction Company Kenya Ltd Deputy General Manager Du Shan signed the agreement in Nairobi.(William Samoei Ruto, PhD)