Waiguru says Kirinyaga economy grows 66pc as county GDP hits Ksh190.79B

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru announced that the county's economy has grown by 66% since she took office, with Gross County Product rising from Ksh114.9 billion in 2017 to Ksh190.79 billion in 2025. Her administration has outperformed the national growth rate of around 6% in 2025. Waiguru highlighted a nine-year transformation record across all development sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, infrastructure, water, education, industrial development, and social empowerment.

The county's own-source revenue tripled from Ksh344.4 million in 2017/18 to Ksh1.11 billion in 2025/26, thanks to digitization of revenue collection and management, and the establishment of the Facility Improvement Fund. Waiguru praised the county as a developing and investment powerhouse, with a focus on industrialization, investment, value addition, and modern urban development.

A significant development is the Sagana Industrial City, aiming to transform the traditionally agriculture-dependent county into a center for processing, manufacturing, and value addition. Two investors have already provided machinery for tomato and avocado processing. The industrial city's Special Economic Zone will offer customs-controlled areas, lease opportunities, and investment incentives.

It has already created over 2,650 jobs during construction and is projected to generate more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs when complete. The agriculture sector, contributing 42% to Kirinyaga's economy and supporting 87% of its population, has also transformed under the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme, which supports over 100,000 farming households.

Production of rice, tomatoes, coffee, and dairy products have all increased, generating significant revenue for farmers. Healthcare improvements include the construction of the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital Complex and expansion of Level 4 hospitals. Infrastructure development has focused on strengthening rural and urban connectivity through the Nyorosha Barabara Mashinani programme, and the construction of markets, aggregation centres, and numerous town improvement initiatives.