Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru delivered her annual State of the County Address on Wednesday, detailing remarkable progress across key sectors while attributing the achievements to strategic reforms and collaborative efforts.
Addressing the County Assembly, Waiguru painted a picture of a county on the move, from agricultural advancements to robust healthcare and infrastructural developments.
The county recently earned accolades from the Office of the Controller of Budget for leading in development budget absorption.
“This achievement is attributed to the reforms that we have undertaken in the revenue directorate, which include digitisation of revenue collection, securing our revenue and making it easier for citizens to pay for single permits and licences and cess fees,” Waiguru said.
The governor noted that the county’s own source revenue had risen significantly from Sh374.7 million in 2019/2020 to Sh619 million in 2023/2024.
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Healthcare transformation
Waiguru highlighted strides in the health sector, including the operationalisation of the Kerugoya County and Referral Hospital, which serves over 600 outpatients and 400 inpatients daily.
Upgrades to Kianyaga and Kimbimbi hospitals, now 70 per cent complete, are expected to alleviate pressure on Kerugoya’s level 5 hospital.
“To enhance service delivery in hospitals, the county government has recruited an additional 48 health workers across different health cadres,” Waiguru stated.
Dispensaries have also been constructed, and over 1,200 Community Health Promoters onboarded to bolster primary healthcare. The governor urged residents to register with the revamped Social Health Insurance Fund for enhanced access to quality healthcare.
Agricultural growth and value addition
Kirinyaga’s agricultural sector has flourished under the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, which supports farmers in production, value addition, and marketing. Waiguru lauded increased yields in crops such as tomatoes, avocados, macadamia, and rice, as well as dairy and poultry products.
The governor highlighted key milestones, including the establishment of a County Fish Aggregation Centre in Kiaga and the Kangai Seedling Propagation Centre, set to provide affordable, high-quality seedlings.
Value-addition initiatives like yoghurt production by Rung’eto and Kirima dairy cooperatives, as well as new milk coolers and backup generators, are enhancing the dairy sector.
Sagana Agro-Industrial City: A game-changer
The crown jewel of Kirinyaga’s transformation is the upcoming Sagana Agro-Industrial City, encompassing a County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), Export Processing Zone (EPZ), and Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Waiguru noted the CAIP is 37 per cent complete, with agro-processing factories for tomatoes, avocados, macadamia oil, and coffee underway.
“Having an Agro-Industrial City in our county is no longer a dream but a reality that is unfolding during our time in office,” Waiguru said, adding that the project is already generating jobs and will create over 100,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities upon completion.
The county has also constructed 18 markets, with 10 more under collaboration with the national government, ensuring a streamlined network for agricultural produce aggregation and trade.
Infrastructure and socio-economic initiatives
Waiguru underscored progress in infrastructure, including cabro car parks in towns like Kagio and Kutus, the construction of a Gender Violence Recovery Centre at Kerugoya Hospital, and affordable housing projects. Education initiatives, such as bursaries and free ECDE uniforms, are also bolstering social welfare.
Thanking the County Assembly for their partnership, Waiguru concluded, “As a result of your commitment and cooperation, we have continued to make significant strides towards the achievement of our county’s socio-economic goals.” She reaffirmed her administration’s resolve to elevate Kirinyaga’s prosperity through collective efforts.
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