Tharaka Nithi County is banking on agriculture as the engine of economic growth, with Governor Muthomi Njuki announcing that last year’s interventions are already putting money into farmers’ pockets and boosting the local economy.
Delivering the State of the County Address at the County Assembly, Governor Njuki revealed that the county’s Gross Domestic Product had grown by approximately six percent in the last year, an expansion he attributed largely to strategic investments in both crop and livestock farming.
He said the county will scale up agricultural investment, noting that initiatives such as subsidized fertilizer, improved seed distribution, and targeted extension services have significantly increased farm yields across the region.
Njuki further announced that the county is now venturing into specialized livestock production, equipping farmers with training, tools, and modern husbandry practices to tap into the lucrative Arab export market.
He emphasized that the high demand of meat in Middle Eastern countries presents a transformative opportunity that could uplift thousands of farmers.
To support this shift, he said the County Government is seeking strategic partnerships to roll out livestock insurance, aimed at cushioning farmers against losses and enhancing productivity.
The Governor noted that more than 80 percent of Tharaka Nithi residents depend on agriculture, adding that the county is therefore prioritizing legislative and policy interventions that directly empower farmers.
However, Njuki raised alarm over the failed short rains expected between October and December, warning that the prolonged dry spell poses a serious threat to food security, livestock survival, and water availability.
He disclosed that the county’s current emergency fund is less than Sh20 million and therefore insufficient to respond to the impending crisis.
Njuki appealed to the County Assembly to approve a supplementary budget to increase the emergency kitty to at least Sh50 million, saying this will enable the government to purchase relief food, save livestock, and support water trucking during the dry period.
“We cannot sit and wait for donors. We must prepare ourselves,” he said, calling for urgent action to protect residents and livelihoods.
By Dickson Mwiti and Christine Ngitori
