Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has highlighted the impact of agriculture on the county’s economy, revealing that the sector contributes approximately 42 per cent of Kirinyaga’s Gross County Product (GCP) and supports 87 per cent of its population.
In a statement shared on Friday, November 6, Waiguru attributed the growth in agricultural production to interventions implemented under the county’s Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, which focuses on supporting farmers and strengthening key agricultural value chains.
The governor revealed that the programme has reached more than 100,000 farming households and provided financial support amounting to KSh253.28 million to 804 farmer groups.
Rice production has recorded significant growth, rising from 65,000 metric tonnes to 210,000 metric tonnes annually, generating approximately KSh16 billion for farmers.
Coffee production has also increased from 28,000 to 49,100 metric tonnes, with the sector generating KSh7.48 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year.
In the dairy sector, Waiguru reported that milk production per cow had increased from an average of 2.5 litres to approximately eight litres daily, translating to an estimated 86 million litres annually.
The county has also invested in farmer training, with more than 34,000 farmers receiving instruction on good agricultural practices during the 2025/2026 financial year.
Waiguru said agriculture remains central to Kirinyaga’s economic development, with the county continuing to focus on improving productivity, supporting farming households and increasing earnings across key agricultural value chains.