Kirinyaga County shines at Devolution Conference as thousands benchmark on best practices on devolution
Kirinyaga County pavilion at the just concluded Devolution Conference in Homabay has been hailed as one of the best in terms of display of impact of devolution as well as opportunity for peer learning.
Thousands of delegates and members of public thronged the pavilion that was manned by the county’s technical teams as well as well as beneficiaries of the county’s robust development program.
The well-organized stands that also attracted the eye of President William Ruto provided a vibrant forum for peer learning, exploring partnerships and exchanging best practices in development.
The pavilion showcased Kirinyaga’s impressive development scorecard, with agriculture in which Governor Waiguru’s administration has heavily invested in, took the center stage. Visitors were taken through the entire agricultural value chain from production to value addition to processing and marketing with a display of a wide range of home-grown and processed products including rice, coffee, milk, tea, honey, macadamia, tomatoes, avocados.
Governor Anne Waiguru said the county’s progress was a clear demonstration of the power of devolution. “Kirinyaga has made tremendous achievements in all development sectors. Our success is proof that when resources are brought closer to the people, lives are transformed,” she said.
Delegates who visited the pavilion praised the county’s strides and the show of excellence at the forum. Kirinyaga County Assembly Leader of Majority, Benson Ngahu, described the exhibition as a reflection of progressive development and urged Kenyans to support the county by consuming its home-grown products. “The best way to promote Kirinyaga is by buying Kirinyaga produce-our coffee, our milk, our rice are some of the best in the entire country. This will not only boost our farmers but also strengthen the economy,” he noted.
Redempta Mary, a Kitui County employee and farmer, said she was impressed by the innovations showcased at the Kirinyaga pavilion. “I came here to learn and even purchase some of the unique agricultural products such as the purple Napier grass and sukuma wiki seedlings, which I intend to integrate into my farm back home. From the exhibition, I learnt that the purple Napier grass has very high nutritional value which I hope will boost my livestock production. I have also ordered rabbit varieties for crossbreeding.” She said.
Other visitors were impressed by the county’s strong commitment to industrial development and manufacturing where they county has invested in local animal feeds production, apparel factory, and large-scale agro-industrial manufacturing through the upcoming Sagana Industrial Park.
“I am impressed to see how the Department of Gender has been able to organize itself to produce textiles such as school and hospital uniforms, hospital beddings and curtains, and theater clothing as a way of creating employment for the tailors who stitch them at the local factory.” Added another delegate.
The pavilion not only highlighted the county’s achievements but also served as a platform for networking and forging new partnerships, cementing Kirinyaga position as a leader in innovation and sustainable development under devolution.
