Nakuru Governor H.E. Susan Kihika hosted a meeting with the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Caroline Vicini, and a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. The primary focus of the discussion centered on exploring opportunities for value chain addition in the areas of pyrethrum, milk, and fish within the county.
Governor Kihika emphasized the pivotal role of value chain addition in enhancing the economic prospects for farmers in the selected priority sectors. She highlighted the success stories emerging from the Agricultural Sector Development Support Program, where farmers have experienced significant profit margins from their yields.
A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion around the construction of a pyrethrum processing factory in Naivasha. Governor Kihika also mentioned the imminent commencement of the construction of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park at Egerton Agro-City. These infrastructure developments are anticipated to be transformative in advancing value chain addition in Nakuru County.
Ambassador Vicini, echoing the sentiments of Governor Kihika, underscored the critical importance of value chain addition and emphasized the need to infuse a business-oriented approach into agricultural production. She expressed Sweden’s commitment to supporting farmers at grassroots levels, enabling them to realize the full benefits of their efforts through value chain addition initiatives in pyrethrum, milk, and fish.
The construction of the pyrethrum processing factory and the upcoming County Aggregation and Industrial Park are poised to be game-changers, aligning with Nakuru County’s commitment to fostering economic growth and sustainability.
Present at the meeting were Deputy Governor H.E. David Kones, along with County Executive Members Leonard Bor (Agriculture), Zipporah Ngugi (Education), Stephen Kuria (Trade), and Nelson Maara (Environment). Chief of Staff Peter Ketienya, Chief Officers Martin Kagai (Office of the Governor) and John Murima (Medical Services) were also in attendance. Ministry of Agriculture Secretary Joseph Mugunyo and Hand in Hand CEO Albert Wambugu contributed to the strategic discussions.
The collaborative efforts between Nakuru County, the Swedish Embassy, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development underscore a commitment to innovative approaches that will contribute to the development of sustainable agricultural value chains and further elevate the county’s economic landscape.
