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| Members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly during house proceedings featuring the assembly leadership and table clerks in session. |
Members of the Kirinyaga County Assembly have passed the Kirinyaga County Agriculture Sector Coordination Bill, 2026 paving the way for a new framework to coordinate agriculture development and promote sustainable farming across the county.
Moving the Bill, Agriculture Committee Chairperson and Kangai Ward MCA James Wambu said the legislation will help safeguard food security, support farmers and promote economic growth. He said it will also establish a clear coordination structure through the County Agriculture Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM).
The committee will bring together key county and national government representatives including the CECM for Agriculture, County Commissioner, Chief Officers for Agriculture and Finance, a representative from NEMA, the Director of Cooperative Development and the county meteorological director. It will also include two farmer representatives, one male and one female as well as a representative of persons living with disabilities.
Mutithi Ward MCA and Deputy Speaker Jinaro Njamumo said the Bill will strengthen cooperation between public and private institutions while supporting agricultural research and innovation particularly in Mwea Constituency.
Njamumo also raised concern over the spread of purple snails in Mwea which he said have affected farmers since 2019. He noted that some countries in South America had successfully tackled the pest and called for research into solutions that could work in Kirinyaga.
Inoi Ward MCA Fredrick Maina called for the recruitment of more agricultural extension officers to provide farmers with technical support and strengthen research.
Kiini Ward MCA Geoffrey Gakuru said about 99 per cent of residents in his ward depend on agriculture making the legislation important to the local economy. He also noted that the Bill includes measures addressing corruption and misconduct within the sector's leadership structures.
Nominated MCA Lucy Njeri welcomed the inclusion of youth and persons living with disabilities in agricultural decision-making structures while Njukiini Ward MCA Timothy Kariuki stressed the need to increase agricultural productivity and farmers' incomes.
Mutira Ward MCA Kinyua Wangui said farmers also need timely and accurate agricultural information to improve food production.
With the Bill now passed, the county government is expected to work with the private sector and other stakeholders to strengthen agricultural training, research, development and innovation. The measures are aimed at increasing food production, improving farmers' productivity and creating more income-generating opportunities across Kirinyaga.