NAKURU, KENYA — Nakuru County has committed Sh147 million to revitalize its once-dominant pyrethrum sector, distributing 51 million clean planting materials across 2,500 acres in a strategic bid to recapture global market share.
Governor Susan Kihika announced that current production, valued at Sh236.9 million from 3,884 acres, represents merely 10 percent of the region’s agricultural potential.
“Our administration is implementing a comprehensive value chain approach—from seedling distribution to processing infrastructure,” Kihika stated during an industry briefing.
The county has formed strategic partnerships with the Agriculture Food Authority, Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), and Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya, and private processors to strengthen the sector’s commercial viability.
Current production metrics indicate farmers are harvesting approximately 330 kilograms per acre, with market prices averaging Sh300 per kilogram.
In the current fiscal year alone, the county has distributed an additional nine million seedlings valued at Sh31.8 million to 1,653 farmers, signaling aggressive expansion plans.
KALRO is establishing a specialized tissue culture laboratory to ensure consistent production of high-quality planting material—a crucial component for meeting international standards.
The county government is implementing a vertical integration strategy by strengthening six existing cooperative societies while developing fully-equipped aggregation centers across all pyrethrum-growing sub-counties.
“We’re transitioning from raw material exports to value-added manufacturing,” Kihika explained, outlining plans for domestic production of mosquito coils, pyrethrum flower powder, and organic pesticides.
To address quality control challenges, Nakuru is partnering with the Agriculture and Food Authority to establish an independent reference laboratory for standardized pyrethrin content assessment.
A new processing factory under construction in Naivasha by Kentegra Limited represents significant private sector investment in the region’s pyrethrum manufacturing capacity.
The county has established a quarterly Processors Caucus, bringing together key industry stakeholders to address market challenges and coordinate development efforts.
Governor Kihika has set ambitious targets to expand cultivation to 30,000 acres within two years, positioning Kenya to “capture and command the world market for pyrethrum in the next five years.”
Industry analysts note this initiative aligns with growing global demand for organic pest control solutions, potentially offering significant export opportunities for Kenyan producers.
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