Kirinyaga Unveils Major Farmer Empowerment Drive as 17,000 Dairy Farmers Receive 13 New Milk Coolers

Anne Waiguru has launched one of Kirinyaga County’s largest grassroots economic empowerment programmes, overseeing the distribution of 13 milk coolers alongside a broad package of agricultural, water, mechanisation, and community support equipment aimed at improving livelihoods and boosting farm productivity.

The flagship initiative saw dairy cooperatives receive milk coolers with a combined storage capacity of 35,000 litres, a move expected to significantly reduce post-harvest milk losses, improve milk quality, and increase returns for thousands of dairy farmers.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Waiguru said the projects were identified through public participation and consultations with Members of the County Assembly, ensuring investments addressed the priorities of local communities.

She said the county government remains committed to strengthening household incomes through practical interventions that support agriculture, improve access to essential services, and expand economic opportunities across all wards.

In addition to the milk coolers, the county distributed water pipes and accessories for community water projects, coffee seedlings, financial support for ward-based savings and credit cooperatives, tractors, tents, chairs, wheelchairs, catering equipment, car wash machines, public address systems, blankets, and other equipment targeting thousands of households.

Jonathan Mueke said the milk coolers were delivered following Waiguru’s request to William Ruto during the President’s recent visit to Kirinyaga.

According to Mueke, the KSh90 million investment will enable more than 17,000 dairy farmers to preserve over 35,000 litres of milk daily, reducing spoilage while allowing farmers to market higher-quality milk. He added that ongoing quality-based milk payment reforms are expected to increase payments for premium-quality milk from KSh43 to as much as KSh60 per litre.

The Principal Secretary also highlighted other national livestock programmes, including subsidised artificial insemination using sexed semen, whose cost has fallen from KSh8,000 to KSh1,000, and subsidised vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease, which now costs farmers KSh50 after government support reduced the previous KSh150 charge.

He noted that Kirinyaga has now received a total of 23 milk coolers under the first two phases of the national programme and said the government’s long-term goal is to ensure every dairy cooperative in the county has access to a milk cooling facility.

The newly distributed coolers will benefit cooperatives in Kabare, Mutira, Kiine, Njukiini, Nyangati, Kangai, Ngariama, Baragwi, Karumandi, Murinduko, and Mukure wards. Kirima Slopes Dairy Cooperative received the largest unit with a capacity of 10,000 litres, while Podago Dairy Cooperative and Rukingu Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society each received 5,000-litre coolers. Other cooperatives received units ranging between 1,000 and 2,000 litres.

The county also injected KSh20 million into its 20 ward-based Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies, allocating KSh1 million to each Sacco. The funding is expected to benefit more than 9,300 farmers by expanding access to affordable credit, encouraging savings, and supporting agribusiness investments.

Coffee farmers also received support through the distribution of 25,000 grafted Ruiru 11 coffee seedlings to 1,367 growers from ten coffee factories in Kabare Ward. The programme aims to increase coffee production, improve resilience to pests and diseases, and enhance farmers’ earnings through improved coffee varieties.

Waiguru said sustained investment in extension services, soil testing, subsidised fertiliser, and improved agronomic practices has helped position Kirinyaga among Kenya’s top coffee-producing counties, with higher yields and improved returns for growers.

To promote farm mechanisation, the county handed over a fully equipped tractor complete with a trailer, disc plough, and mouldboard plough to the Kirinyaga County Agricultural Technical and Vocational Education and Training Centre. County officials estimate the equipment will benefit about 20,000 farmers by reducing production costs and improving farming efficiency.

The programme also included substantial investment in water infrastructure through the distribution of 4,397 UPVC water pipes, 108 rolls of HDPE pipes, and hundreds of fittings to support 29 community water projects across ten wards. The projects are expected to improve access to clean water for nearly 7,800 households while supporting irrigation and strengthening resilience to drought.

As part of the broader empowerment programme, more than 4,000 households across 16 wards also received assorted equipment, including wheelchairs, motorcycles, tents, chairs, water storage drums, energy-saving cookstoves, sanitary towels, boda boda safety gear, catering equipment, and business support tools for youth and community groups.

Muteti Murimi praised the county’s empowerment initiatives, saying they had significantly improved livelihoods across Kirinyaga. He also commended Members of the County Assembly for supporting development programmes and urged leaders to continue prioritising projects that directly benefit residents.

Waiguru said the extensive empowerment drive forms part of the county government’s broader development agenda of strengthening agriculture, improving public services, and creating sustainable economic opportunities that enhance the welfare of Kirinyaga residents.