Kihika at One: The future of pyrethrum revival in Nakuru County
Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika (centre) during the ground breaking ceremony of Kentegra pyrethrum factory in Manera farm Gilgil.
Peter Rotich, had been planting maize and potatoes, in his three-acre land in Kuresoi, for the last eight years.
With the advent of pyrethrum revival in Nakuru County, Mr Rotich became a pyrethrum farmer last year after seeing the benefits and the income his neighbours made.
“I have no regret turning to pyrethrum. As at now, I can make Sh 17,000 per month, the money that could take me four months to raise from maize and potatoes,” he notes with a smile.
Peter Rotich during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
According to Mr Rotich, although the former governor, Lee Kinyanjui initiated the revival of pyrethrum, the continuity of the project is pegged on Governor Susan Kihika’s goodwill.
“Although I am ripping big from the pyrethrum, I hope Kihika’s government sustains this project and provides us with seedlings," he says.
Mr Rotich notes that he has had to buy seedlings from the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya in the recent past, something that has increased his operation cost at the farm.
This he says was because the number of seedlings provided by the county government could not cover his parcel of land.
“Just last year I was given seedlings that I was informed would fit my three-acre land. The seedlings only covered an acre. The same happened this year when the number of seedlings I received only fit a quarter acre,” Rotich laments.
He says he does not understand why this happened, even though he had registered the size of his farm and the number of seedlings required.
“Governor Kihika should stop promising seedlings and start providing them,” he adds.
Alice Sora, a farmer in Subukia, on the other hand has been a farmer since 2000.
Alice Sora at her farm in Subukia during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
According to Ms Sora, pyrethrum farming became unsustainable for her, forcing her to shift to other crops after losing hope.
“It was not until 2018, when I gave pyrethrum farming a chance again,” she says.
Sora adds that she hopes the Governor will continue the pyrethrum revival project.
Justus Monda, chairman of pyrethrum growers association backs up the farmers as he notes that for the past two decades pyrethrum has been down but in the last five years there has been improvement.
Justus Monda, chairman of pyrethrum growers association during an interview with Mtaa Wangu.
"My request to the current government is that they continue the pyrethrum revival program for the benefit of pyrethrum farmers and Nakuru at large, " he adds.
On his part, the acting County Secretary, Dr Samuel Mwaura says “The County Government is very serious in the revival of pyrethrum.”
Speaking on behalf of Governor Kihika, Dr Mwaura notes that US based pyrethrum processing company Kentegra is setting up a factory in Naivasha at a cost of Sh 1.5 billion.
According to Dr Mwaura, last year the county government allocated Sh 40 million in the agriculture sector for provision of pyrethrum seedlings.
Also Read: Kihika at One: A tough talking governor with a few fulfilled promises
Dr Mwaura states “We have also provided six dryers in Subukia and will continue to provide more for our farmers across the pyrethrum growing areas.”
[email protected]