Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru delivered her final State of the County Address on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, highlighting nine years of development across the county. She cited growth in revenue collection, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and industrial investment as key achievements of her administration.
Addressing the County Assembly, Waiguru said Kirinyaga’s economy had expanded since she took office in 2017. She also pledged to use her remaining eight months in office to complete ongoing projects and strengthen service delivery.
Kirinyaga Revenue Rises to KSh 1.11 Billion
Waiguru reported that Kirinyaga’s own-source revenue had increased more than threefold, rising from KSh 344.4 million in the 2017/18 financial year to KSh 1.11 billion in 2025/26.
She attributed the growth to digitised revenue collection through the Kiripay system and the operationalisation of the Facility Improvement Fund.
The governor also reported that Kirinyaga’s Gross County Product had grown from KSh 114.9 billion in 2017 to KSh 190.79 billion in 2025. She cited an economic growth rate of 8.7 per cent in 2025, compared with the national rate of approximately six per cent.
Sagana Industrial City Targets Investment and Jobs
Waiguru highlighted Sagana Industrial City as a major project intended to expand manufacturing, agricultural processing and job creation.
She said investors targeting tomato and avocado processing had delivered machinery in preparation for operations. The project’s Special Economic Zone has also been gazetted as a customs-controlled area.
According to the governor, construction had generated more than 2,650 jobs. The project could create over 100,000 direct and indirect jobs when fully operational.
However, the wider development remains ongoing, with further work required before the projected employment opportunities can materialise.
Agriculture Supports Thousands of Households
Agriculture remained central to Waiguru’s account of Kirinyaga’s economic progress. She said the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme had reached more than 100,000 farming households.
Annual rice production reportedly increased from 65,000 metric tonnes in 2017 to 210,000 metric tonnes, generating an estimated KSh 16 billion for farmers.
Coffee production also rose to 49,100 metric tonnes in the 2025/26 financial year. Sales reached a reported KSh 7.48 billion.
The county has also supported tomato production, dairy farming and other agricultural value chains to improve farmers’ earnings and market access.
Healthcare and Infrastructure Expansion
Waiguru cited the Kerugoya County Referral Hospital Complex as a major healthcare investment. The facility’s capacity expanded to 450 beds, according to reports on her address.
She also highlighted hospital upgrades in Kianyaga, Kimbimbi and Sagana, alongside investments in dispensaries and medical services.
In infrastructure, the Nyorosha Barabara Mashinani programme has supported rural road improvements. Waiguru also reported expanded clean-water access, with more than 50,000 additional households connected.
Waiguru Pledges to Complete Ongoing Projects
With eight months remaining in her constitutional term, Waiguru said her administration would focus on completing projects, improving services and protecting development gains.
She urged residents to elect leaders who would sustain ongoing programmes and investments.
Her final address presented the administration’s assessment of its nine-year record. The long-term impact will also depend on completing unfinished projects and maintaining the services and infrastructure already delivered.
