Governor Anne Waiguru has attributed Kirinyaga County’s growing appeal to investors to a deliberate policy shift aimed at inclusive and locally anchored development.
Delivering her State of the County Address (SOCA) at the Kirinyaga County Assembly, Waiguru said the county’s focus on strategic infrastructure, streamlined licensing, and support for small and medium enterprises had transformed it into a hub for enterprise and innovation.
“The rise of new rice mills, flour mills, fish hatcheries, eco-tourism lodges, and value-addition hubs reflects not just economic expansion but a deliberate policy shift toward inclusive development,” she said.
Waiguru reported that the Gross County Product has grown from Sh114.9 billion in 2017 to Sh190.79 billion in 2024, with the local economy expanding at 5.4%, above the national average.
The poverty index, she noted, had dropped from 23% to 21%, lifting about 52,000 households out of poverty.
To create space for industrial development, the county reclaimed over 800 acres of public land that had been illegally acquired. The land will be used for schools, hospitals, housing, and agriculture.
“This isn’t just about land; it’s about rebuilding trust and restoring dignity,” Waiguru said.
Her administration has also invested in extensive infrastructure to open up the county for trade and agriculture.
So far, 7,151.5 kilometres of roads have been graded and 2,265.5 kilometres graveled. Urban renewal has included laying 118,550 square meters of cabro and upgrading drainage in seven major towns — Kagio, Sagana, Kagumo, Kerugoya, Kianyaga, Kutus, and Wang’uru.
The Governor highlighted the Sagana Industrial City (SAIC) as a flagship project combining an Export Processing Zone, Special Economic Zone, affordable housing, and a sports complex.
Once operational, the city is expected to create 10,000 direct and 170,000 indirect jobs, with 63 investors already expressing interest, including those in tomato and avocado processing.
Waiguru also detailed efforts to improve urban services, including acquiring two new fire engines, 75 waste collection skips, and two skip loaders, leading to an 85% reduction in visible waste.
Through the Wezesha Kirinyaga Program, more than 100,000 farmers have benefited from value chain projects across sectors such as tomato, rice, dairy, poultry, coffee, and aquaculture.
The county has supported 804 farmers’ groups with Sh253 million and 19 producer organisations with Sh266 million, alongside 20 multi–value chain SACCOs supported with Sh21 million.
In healthcare, Waiguru cited the 341-bed Kerugoya County Referral Hospital, recruitment of 150 health workers, and upgrades of facilities in Kianyaga, Kimbimbi, and Sagana. The county has also introduced specialised services, including orthopaedic surgery, oncology, and neurology.
The Governor said the full digitisation of county revenue collection through the Kiripay system has sealed leakages and boosted efficiency.
Own-source revenue has risen from Sh344.4 million in 2017 to Sh852.3 million in 2024, positioning Kirinyaga among the top counties in development budget absorption.
