Nairobi, Kenya — Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has renewed his controversial proposal to allocate 200,000 acres of the Galana Kulalu irrigation scheme for large-scale industrial hemp farming, arguing it could unlock massive economic gains for Kenya.
Speaking in media interviews on Sunday, May 24, 2026, Wajackoyah said the government-owned Galana Kulalu project spans about one million acres, insisting that dedicating a fraction of the land to hemp cultivation would generate enough revenue to address national debt and boost infrastructure development.
“I just need 200,000 acres at Galana Kulalu to plant hemp. Fifty kilograms of hemp is worth about 307 million US dollars,” he said. “We can plant, harvest, export, and use the money to pay off debts and fix infrastructure.”
Wajackoyah, who is positioning himself for the 2027 presidential race, reiterated his long-standing advocacy for the legalization and commercialization of industrial hemp, describing it as a high-value crop with applications in textiles, medicine, construction, and advanced manufacturing.
He said countries such as Canada and Israel have already tapped into hemp’s economic potential, adding that Kenya risks missing out on a major global industry if it fails to act.
The politician also suggested that Kenya could become a major exporter of hemp-based products, creating jobs and reducing youth unemployment.
The Galana Kulalu Food Security Project, located in Kilifi and Tana River counties, was originally launched as a flagship irrigation scheme aimed at enhancing national food security. However, it has faced persistent challenges including funding constraints and underperformance.
Wajackoyah argued that redirecting part of the land to high-value industrial crops would deliver better economic returns than current usage models.
His comments have triggered mixed reactions across Kenya, with supporters praising the idea as innovative and critics questioning its legality, feasibility, and social implications.
This is not the first time Wajackoyah has pushed for cannabis legalization. During the 2022 presidential election campaign, he similarly argued that regulated hemp farming could generate billions of dollars in national revenue.
As Kenya moves closer to the 2027 elections, his unconventional economic proposals continue to fuel national debate on alternative development strategies.
