Nakuru Governor Ms. Susan Kihika has affirmed that her administration is actively involved in revamping the pyrethrum sector in Nakuru, with a focus on increasing acreage, improving yields, and enhancing the overall value chain.
She stated that the county government was working with research institutions, government agencies and the private sector to ensure that farmers have access to quality seedlings, which is crucial for boosting production. The goal is to restore pyrethrum to its former prominence as a key source of income for local farmers.
While indicating that the County Government’s key partners in the pyrethrum revival strategy were the Agriculture Food Authority (AFA), the Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK) and private processors, the Governor indicated that her administration had so far distributed 51 million clean planting material to over 900 farmers covering 2,500 acres at a cost of Sh147 million.
Ms Kihika pointed out that currently there were over 10,000 farmers cultivating pyrethrum across eight of Nakuru’s eleven sub-counties: Molo, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Njoro, Gilgil, Naivasha, Bahati, and Subukia.
“We have increased our cultivation to 3,884 acres, resulting in production of 1,273 metric tonnes valued at Sh236.9 million,” Kihika said.
However, she regretted that this production only represents 10 percent of Nakuru’s potential.
In her statement, Ms Kihika disclosed that the County has distributed over nine million seedlings to 1,653 farmers, valued at Sh31.8 million in the current financial year.
She stated that KALRO was in the process of establishing a tissue culture laboratory to ensure production of high-quality planting material adding that farmers in Nakuru were currently producing 330 kilogram of the cash crop per acre with each kilogram selling at an average of Sh 300
The County boss stated that they were strengthening six existing cooperative societies to improve market access and mobilize more producer organizations.
“We intend to establish fully equipped aggregation centres in all pyrethrum growing sub-counties managed by farmer organizations,” she added.
The Governor indicated that they were also promoting establishment of cottage industries to facilitate value addition for pyrethrum-based products including mosquito coils and organic pesticides.
She also highlighted several challenges, including post-harvest losses, poor pyrethrum quality, limited market access, and issues with value addition.
To address these challenges, Kihika revealed that a stakeholder has volunteered to construct a large dryer in Kuresoi.
“With the support of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), we are establishing an independent standard reference laboratory to ensure fair assessment of pyrethrin content,” she added.
Additionally, Kihika announced a partnership with PPCK and Kentegra Limited, which is building a processing factory in Naivasha, alongside KALRO, which will produce high-yielding pyrethrum clones.
“Through this collaboration, we are distributing 700,000 seedlings to all pyrethrum-growing Wards. We expect each seedling to produce five to six splits, potentially generating up to 4.2 million plants,” Kihika explained.
Kihika highlighted that the county has also established a dedicated Processors Caucus that meets quarterly to discuss achievements and challenges within the pyrethrum subsector.
The county government is committed to supporting farmers by providing them with the necessary resources, including technical assistance, and ensuring they receive timely payments for their produce, according to another source.
She affirmed that her resolve was to increase pyrethrum cultivation to 30,000 acres within the next two years. “Our focus is on creating value-added products from pyrethrum, rather than just exporting the raw material. This includes producing mosquito coils, pyrethrum flower powder, pyrethrum stalk powder, and improved pymarc,” she added.
The governor stated that she aims to help Kenya capture and command the world market for pyrethrum in the next five years.
The National Government is prioritizing safer, locally-produced alternatives to pesticides and is reviving the pyrethrum industry as a sustainable solution.
By Jane Ngugi and Dennis Rasto
