Waiguru hails Kirinyaga as an investment powerhouse as homegrown flour milling plant expands production

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has hailed the county as an investment powerhouse set to harness its rich agricultural heritage to become a premier agro-industrial hub.

The governor, who was speaking on Tuesday during the launch of a massive wheat milling equipment at Joy Millers Ltd. in Kutus, said that the county has the infrastructure and resources required for investments to thrive.

She noted that the county has emerged as a leading agricultural producer and her administration is not only focused on production but also on value addition. “The future lies at the intersection of agriculture and industry and we are taking deliberate steps towards becoming an agro-industrial hub”. Said the governor.

She pointed out that the presence of companies like Joy Millers in value addition meant that farmers earn more for their produce, while the youth gain meaningful employment opportunities right at home.

The governor who was in the company of the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui and Murang’a Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata, said that the installation of the new Joy Millers equipment with a capacity to mill 600-tons of wheat a day, marked a landmark achievement in Kirinyaga’s transformation into an agro-industrial powerhouse.

She praised the company’s sustained investment and reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to driving value addition, job creation, and farmer prosperity. “It is both an honor and a privilege to witness yet another milestone in our journey of growth. This new equipment is not just a symbol of expansion but also a celebration of consistent success, local partnership, and the bold future we are building for our people.” she said.

Waiguru described the company as a vital player in Kirinyaga’s economic engine and a partner in its transformative journey. She emphasized on the socio-economic ripple effects of the company’s growth which includes employment of over 1,500 young people directly and thousands of others indirectly.

She affirmed that the county has the infrastructure and resources required for agro-industries to thrive, noting that such companies serve as bridges, connecting the rich agricultural output in the county to a global market eager for high-quality, value-added products and at the same time set a remarkable precedent, proving that homegrown businesses can scale and flourish in Kirinyaga.

“Kirinyaga remains the lifeblood of Kenya’s agricultural sector, with over half of our land dedicated to farming. As a county government, we have continually supported our farmers in diversifying and expanding their production to improve their livelihoods. Their commitment is evident in the steady growth of key agricultural products such as rice-180,000 tons, tomatoes-110,000 tons coffee- 42,000 and dairy-86,000 liters annually.” She said.

Waiguru added that as part of the county’s broader vision, her administration is welcoming more investment into the county through the upcoming Sagana Industrial City. She said that the transformative project, spanning 242 acres, is designed to propel Kirinyaga into a premier agro-industrial hub, converting raw farm produce into finished products for both local and international markets and will focus on sustainable development and innovation, featuring world-class facilities for processing, packaging, and manufacturing, creating a seamless supply chain from farm to factory, fostering partnerships that benefit both industry and agriculture.

The city will host export processing zones, manufacturing plants, a golf course, and a four-star hotel as well as affordable housing among others. She said that 57 investors are already lined up and affirmed her administration’s resolve to streamline regulatory processes to attract global and local investors.

With its strategic location along the Northern transport corridor, Sagana Industrial City is easily accessible by road and rail offering seamless connectivity and easy access to global trade partners including air-freight options at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as well as sea-freight options in Mombasa. This makes it not just an investment opportunity for local players, but a gateway to broader regional trade partners

The Joy Millers Ltd. Proprietor, Julius Chomba, thanked Governor Waiguru for according the company a conducive and stress-free environment for the business to thrive in the county.

On his part, CS Kinjanjui said that the government was committed to supporting local industries through friendly policies, noting that no country can develop without value addition and agro processing. He hailed Joy Millers Company for proving that indigenous industries can thrive.

Murang’a Governor Kang’ata hailed the milling company noting that his administration has partnered with it to buy maize from Murang’a farmers thus guaranteeing them a consistent income.

Kirinyaga County spans an area of approximately 1,500 sqkms and has a population of 674,000 and a Gross County Product (GCP) of Ksh.161 Billion with an annual growth rate of 5%.