Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has urged manufacturers to invest in the county, saying it has a rich agricultural heritage that positions it as a premier agro-industrial hub.
The governor spoke in Kutus town during the launch of a new wheat milling equipment at Joy Millers Company with a capacity to mill 600 tonnes of wheat a day. She said the county has the infrastructure and resources required for investments to thrive.
The county has emerged as a leading agricultural producer and her administration is not only focused on production but also on value addition. “The future lies at the intersection of agriculture and industry and we are taking deliberate steps towards becoming an agro-industrial hub,” the governor said.
She pointed out that the presence of companies like Joy Millers in value addition translates to higher earnings for farmers and more jobs for youths.
The governor, accompanied by Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, praised Joy Millers for its sustained investment and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to driving value addition, job creation, and farmer prosperity.
“This new equipment is not just a symbol of expansion but also a celebration of consistent success, local partnership, and the bold future we are building for our people.”
The company, she said, is a vital player in the county’s economic engine and a partner in its transformative journey.
She emphasised the socio-economic ripple effects of the company’s growth, which include employment of over 1,500 young people directly and thousands of others indirectly.
The governor said Kirinyaga has the necessary resources for agro-industries to thrive, noting that such companies help connect locally produced products to the national and global market.
“Kirinyaga remains the lifeblood of Kenya’s agricultural sector, with over half of our land dedicated to farming. As the county government, we have continually supported our farmers in diversifying and expanding their production to improve their livelihoods.”
She pointed out that key sectors have continued to grow, as the county produces 180,000 tonnes of rice, 110,000 tonnes of tomatoes, 42,000 tonnes of coffee and 86,000 liters of milk annually.
The county covers approximately 1,500 square kilometres and has a population of 674,000 with a gross county product of Sh161 billion and an annual growth rate of 5 per cent.
She said the upcoming Sagana Industrial Park that spans over 242 acres has sufficient space for manufacturers to establish investments.
The park will help add value to raw farm produce into finished products for both local and international markets, and will host processing, packaging and manufacturing plants.
It will also feature a golf course, a four-star hotel as well as affordable housing. At least 57 investors have already lined up for space in the park.
Strategically located along the Northern Corridor, Sagana Industrial Park is accessible by road and rail, offering easy connectivity for investors.
The Joy Millers company proprietor Julius Chomba lauded the county government for providing a conducive environment for businesses.
CS Kinyanjui reiterated the government’s commitment to support local industries through friendly policies.
“No country can thrive without value addition and agro-processing. Joy Millers Company is a testimony that indigenous industries can thrive,” he said.
He said the government is considering exempting taxes on packaging, processing and other industrial equipment imported into the country to encourage value addition.
Kang’ata said his administration has partnered with Joy Millers to buy maize from small-scale farmers in Murang’a, guaranteeing them a consistent income.
