Government accelerates bid to revive Pyrethrum sector amid insolvency threat

Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya head office in Nakuru. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard The government has launched a renewed effort to revive the Pyrethrum sector amid the financial struggles faced by the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK). This initiative comes just months after Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh visited the company's head office in Nakuru and observed its poor condition, including rusted and idle machinery. Dr Ronoh's visit followed an audit report from the Auditor General, which revealed that the company was technically insolvent due to mismanagement, neglect, and alleged embezzlement. The report indicated that the company has a negative working capital of over Sh480 million, and its continued existence relies on government support and creditors. To support the revival, State House Chief of Staff Felix Koskei, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, and Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika visited Turi in Elburgon on Wednesday, May 9, 2025 to distribute certified pyrethrum seedlings. Governor Kihika emphasised the importance of reviving the plant, describing it as one of Nakuru's flagship projects. "We are on track to restore pyrethrum's past prominence, ensuring that the value chain regains its market value and remains a top income source for our farmers," she stated. However, Kihika acknowledged that Nakuru's production, which previously accounted for 70 percent of the country's pyrethrum output, has declined. Currently, around 10,000 farmers are cultivating pyrethrum across eight of Nakuru's eleven sub-counties: Molo, Kuresoi North, Kuresoi South, Njoro, Gilgil, Naivasha, Bahati, and Subukia. "We have increased our cultivation to 3,884 acres, resulting in production of 1,273 metric tonnes valued at Kshs236.9 million," Kihika said. However, she regretted that this production only represents 10 percent of Nakuru's potential, which could utilize over 30,000 acres of land. She also highlighted several challenges, including post-harvest losses, poor pyrethrin quality, limited market access, and issues with value addition. To address these challenges, Kihika mentioned that a stakeholder has volunteered to construct a large dryer in Kuresoi. "With the support of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), we are establishing an independent standard reference laboratory to ensure fair assessment of pyrethrin content," she added. The county has distributed over nine million seedlings to 1,653 farmers, valued at Sh31.8 million. Additionally, Kihika announced a partnership with PPCK and Kentegra Limited, which is building a processing factory in Naivasha, alongside KALRO, which will produce high-yielding pyrethrum clones. "Through this collaboration, we are distributing 700,000 seedlings to all pyrethrum-growing wards. We expect each seedling to produce five to six splits, potentially generating up to 4.2 million plants," Kihika explained. She also reported that KALRO will establish a tissue culture laboratory to ensure continuous production of high-quality planting materials. "Currently, we are producing 330 kilograms per acre, with each kilogram sold for Sh300, which means substantial income for our farmers," she noted. Kihika highlighted that the county has also established a dedicated Processors Caucus that meets quarterly to discuss achievements and challenges within the pyrethrum subsector. Kagwe announced that the government will halt imports of over 50 pesticide products to reduce costs. "The Pest Product Control Board has informed me that we can now produce the pesticides used for pest control," he stated. Koskei encouraged farmers to return to the Rift Valley and grow pyrethrum, advising them to embrace certified seeds to ensure high yields.

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