Agriculture Principal Secretary Dr. Kipronoh Rono./HANDOUT
The Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Kipronoh Ronoh Paul CBS, presided over a key leadership transition at the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) in a significant development for Kenya's agricultural sector.
The event, which took place at the company's headquarters, marked the official appointment of Mr. Njoroge Wachira as the Acting Chief Executive Officer, signalling renewed momentum in the efforts to revive and reposition the once-thriving pyrethrum industry.
Speaking during the ceremony, Dr Ronoh reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to the transformation of agriculture as a critical pillar of national development.
He stated that the revitalisation of the pyrethrum sub-sector is not only timely but essential in advancing the broader goals of food security, economic empowerment, and rural development.
“The government is keen on seeing the pyrethrum industry reclaim its position as a major contributor to the national economy. Through strategic interventions and support, we are already witnessing improvements in productivity, better returns for farmers, and increased interest from investors,” Dr. Ronoh said.
The Principal Secretary further called on the new leadership to prioritise reforms aimed at strengthening institutional capacity, improving efficiency in operations, and restoring the confidence of farmers and other stakeholders.
He emphasized the importance of a farmer-centric approach that includes timely payments, fair pricing, access to quality inputs, and extension services.
Dr. Ronoh underscored the critical role of the Board and management in steering the sector toward growth, noting that the success of the pyrethrum value chain will depend on transparent governance, responsiveness to market trends, and strong partnerships between the public and private sectors.
The appointment of Mr Wachira as Acting CEO was welcomed by various stakeholders, including representatives of farmer groups, who expressed optimism that the new leadership would bring renewed focus and action.
The event marked a turning point in the pyrethrum sector, which has struggled for decades due to mismanagement, poor pricing, and lack of market access. With renewed government backing and a shift in leadership, there is now a clear path toward restoring the crop’s potential to contribute to Kenya’s economy and improve the livelihoods of thousands of growers across the country.
Recently, the government assured to distribute one million pyrethrum seedlings to farmers in a move aimed at ensuring the country recaptures control of the global pyrethrum market share.
This renewed focus is expected to re-energise the value chain, encourage private sector investment, and create new opportunities in both domestic and export markets.
