Nyandarua County is set to have a County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), which will be the largest ever investment project undertaken in the area.
Speaking during this year’s Jamhuri Day celebrations at Rurinja Stadium, Kinangop Sub County Governor Kiarie Badilisha said the county was rich agriculturally, but still ranked among the poorest in the country.
Badilisha attributed the worrying trend to the fact that many farmers in the county were still dependent on rain-fed agriculture and also accustomed to selling their produce without any value addition.
“This sad state of affairs has left us at the mercy of profiteers and brokers who continue to sink our farmers into deeper poverty and low returns. Also, our post-harvest losses remain high in the absence of value addition.
Therefore, the establishment of the CAIP is the beginning of a journey of value addition and wealth creation. This project will commence in the coming weeks upon the finalisation of the legal instruments critical for its seamless execution,” said the governor.
To achieve improved milk production, Badilisha said that they have embarked on an accelerated Artificial Insemination programme that will cost Sh400 from the current cost of Sh1500, while at the same time providing farmers with options for even better breeds, including sexed semen.
On his side, Nyandarua County Commissioner Mohamed Barre assured area residents of enough security during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festivities.
For those who take alcohol, Barre urged them to celebrate moderately and not indulge in excessive drinking.
Consequently, he vowed to crackdown on any person or group with the intent to engage in any form of crime over the festive season.
“We are going to step up security in the region during the holiday period to ensure people enjoy themselves without any problems,” he said.
By Antony Mwangi
