TropiGlobe blog

Narok Town, Kenya Today, the cowardly and brutal regime thought they could silence the voice of the people. Clear instructions had been issued to the police: block Rigathi Gachagua and his entire entourage from entering Narok Town to campaign for our Democratic Congress Party (DCP) candidate for Narok Ward, the formidable Hon. Douglas Masikonde. They deployed roadblocks. They brought teargas. They brought stones and bullets and all the instruments of intimidation that a panicked dictatorship clings to when it senses its days are numbered. But they forgot one thing: you cannot block a villager in his own village. I am a son of this soil. I grew up walking these paths, herding cattle under the same sun that shines on Narok today. When the police sealed the main roads, I turned to my fellow villagers — the real owners of this land — and asked for their guidance. Quietly, calmly, they showed us the ancient footpaths, the hidden trails through the bushes that no uniformed officer from Nairo...

 Mbeere North, Embu County.   The Deputy President, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, dropped the professorial calm, grabbed the mic, and went full Sunday-school mode on Rigathi Gachagua. “Wewe Goliathi! Wewe Goliathi! Umechoka kutisha watu. Siku zako zimeisha. Nitakuonea aibu!”   (Translation for the city folks: “You Goliath! You Goliath! You’re done threatening people. Your days are over. I will shame you!”) Kenya stopped scrolling and said:   “Finally. Kindiki aliamka.” For over a year, Rigathi Gachagua has been the loudest ex-DP in Kenyan history. Church services, funerals, harambees – everywhere he goes, he has one sermon:   “Kindiki is a puppet. Ruto betrayed Mt Kenya. I am the real king of the mountain.” He has called Kindiki a houseboy, a briefcase carrier, a man without a spine.   Kindiki’s response? Silence. Polite smiles. “Let the work speak.”   Until yesterday. Yesterday, the professor borrowed Gachagua’s own megaphone an...

Yesterday, 23rd November 2025, you looked straight into the cameras and told the nation that the upcoming Malava by-election will either “build you or break you”. That it will determine whether you “truly have influence here in Western”. That if your candidate loses, it will have “serious political consequences for both you and Wetang’ula”. My brother, I laughed until I cried. Then I cried because I stopped laughing. Let me help you with something you seem to have forgotten in the air-conditioning of Karen and the five-star hotels of Nairobi: Malava is not your personal laboratory for ego measurement. The people of Malava are not laboratory rats you are using to test whether your political remote control still has batteries. Those voters waking up at 4 a.m. to go to the shamba do not care whether Musalia Mudavadi’s political CV looks shiny in 2027. They care whether they can sell their maize at a decent price, whether their child will find a job after Form Four, whether the road to Che...

 The concept of a "Luhya Kingpin" in Kenyan politics refers to an informal but influential role as the unifying political leader or spokesperson for the Luhya (Mulembe) community in Western Kenya—a diverse group spanning counties like Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kakamega, and Vihiga. It's not an official title but one that's often self-proclaimed or debated in public discourse, especially ahead of elections like 2027. The rivalry between Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has dominated this conversation for over a year, fueled by clashes over regional development, national appointments, and perceived exploitation of Luhya votes without tangible benefits. Quick Background on the Two Moses Wetangula: A veteran politician (over 30 years in Parliament) and current third-highest officeholder in Kenya. He's long positioned himself as the Luhya kingpin, leveraging his role in coalitions like Kenya Kwanza and alliances with Prime...

Today, at exactly the moment the world started asking uncomfortable questions in louder voices, the Tanzanian government discovered the “reply” button. Eleven minutes ago, Larry Madowo (yes, the same Kenyan journalist who has been calmly torching timelines with receipts) posted a polite but devastating screenshot: the Tanzanian Ministry of Information’s public notice dated today, 21 November 2025. Let me translate the bureaucratic Swahili into plain English for you: “We just saw that CNN documentary you’ve all been talking about for three weeks. We are currently ‘reviewing and verifying’ it. Sit tight. Official statement loading…” In other words: “We were hoping nobody would notice the bodies. CNN noticed. Now we need a minute.” The timing is comedy gold if it wasn’t so tragic. For 23 days, families have been posting photos of missing sons and daughters. For 23 days, citizen videos of police and plain-clothes gunmen executing unarmed youth have circulated on WhatsApp groups. For 23 day...

In the sweltering heat of Dar es Salaam, where the Indian Ocean breeze usually carries whispers of hope, the air has turned thick with grief and fury. Just weeks ago, on October 29, 2025, Tanzania held its general elections—a day meant to echo the nation's democratic aspirations but instead erupted into a nightmare of gunfire, burning barricades, and cries for justice. What began as a call for fair votes has morphed into a stark reminder of how fragile freedom can be when power clings too tightly. And in the midst of it all, a simple phrase—"Mind Your Own Business"—has transformed from everyday slang into a defiant political rallying cry, a shield against the state's overreach. If you've scrolled through your feed lately, you might have seen CNN Correspondent Larry Madowo's post lighting up timelines: a screenshot of CNN's homepage, with "Police fatally shot protesters in aftermath of Tanzania’s disputed election" screaming from the top. It's...

Perched on Kenya's sun-kissed Indian Ocean coastline, Kwale County isn't just beaches and dhows—it's a geological jackpot where heavy mineral sands glitter beneath the dunes. Famous for its casuarina-lined shores and Swahili heritage, Kwale hides vast deposits of titanium, zircon, and rutile that power global industries from aerospace to pigments. In this TropiGlobe deep dive, we unearth the minerals shaping Kwale's economy, backed by mining reports and sustainable development insights, revealing how this coastal gem balances extraction with eco-tourism. Kwale's Sandy Foundations: A Rift's Gift to the Coast Kwale's mineral wealth stems from ancient beach placers, remnants of the East African Rift's tectonic drama millions of years ago. These heavy mineral sands—dense grains sorted by waves and winds—form ilmenite-rich layers up to 30 meters deep in areas like Msambweni. The county's dune complexes, stabilized by indigenous vegetation, overlay Precamb...

Nestled on the southern flanks of Mount Kenya, Kirinyaga County is a verdant paradise of tea plantations, coffee estates, and rice paddies—but beneath its fertile surface, a subtler story unfolds. While Kenya boasts over 970 confirmed mineral occurrences across 15 counties (notably Kitui, Embu, Tana River, and others), Kirinyaga doesn't make the headlines for mining booms.Its geology, dominated by Tertiary-Quaternary volcanic rocks from the Aberdare Range and Mount Kenya complex, hints at untapped potential rather than active extraction. Think phonolites, basalts, and trachytes—igneous formations rich in silicates, but light on economic heavy-hitters. So, which minerals do we have in Kirinyaga? Based on geological surveys and databases like Mindat.org, the county's mineral wealth is modest and largely unexplored. Here's a breakdown of what's known (or suspected) to occur, drawn from volcanic compositions and regional analogies. Note: No large-scale mining happens here; ...

 Brewed Awakening: Kirinyaga Coffee Farmers Ride a Wave of Reforms and Rewards in 2025 In the misty highlands of Kirinyaga County, where the volcanic soils cradle coffee bushes like old friends, 2025 has been a year of bitter-sweet transformation for the region's 150,000+ smallholder farmers. Once synonymous with exploitation and dwindling yields, Kirinyaga's coffee sector—producing 40,000 tons annually and generating KSh 2.8 billion in revenue—has seen a dramatic turnaround. From record payouts that filled wallets to fierce protests over payment reforms, the past 11 months have brewed a potent mix of hope, hustle, and hard-won gains. As the 2025/2026 season looms, let's percolate through the headlines shaping these farmers' fortunes. Record Payouts: A Cherry on Top of Reforms If early 2025 was a wake-up call for Kirinyaga's coffee growers, it came with a caffeine kick. In April, 27 of the county's 75 wet mills announced payouts ranging from KSh 100 to KSh 145 p...

In the heart of Kenya's Central Region, Kirinyaga County stands as a beacon of progress, its lush hills and vibrant communities a testament to resilient leadership. Since her election in 2017 as one of only three women governors in the country, Anne Waiguru has steered Kirinyaga through transformative years, re-elected in 2022 for a second term. Drawing from her background as Kenya's first Cabinet Secretary for Devolution and Planning, Waiguru has brought a technocratic edge to governance, focusing on economic empowerment, health, infrastructure, and inclusivity. Her vision, encapsulated in the groundbreaking Mountain Cities Blueprint—the country's first sub-national 15-year development plan—has guided Kirinyaga toward sustainable growth, lifting livelihoods and fostering hope. As of her 2025 State of the County Address, the results speak volumes: poverty reduced from 23% to 21%, impacting over 52,000 households, and the county's Gross County Product surging from KSh 11...

 Roots in the Soil Dry Rice Farming in Kirinyaga County, Kenya In the shadow of Mount Kenya’s snow-capped peaks, Kirinyaga County is best known for its lush tea estates and vibrant flower greenhouses. Yet, in the lower reaches of Mwea and the rolling hills of Gichugu, a quieter, tougher crop is making a comeback: dryland rice. Unlike the flooded paddies of the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, dry rice farming relies on rainfall, resilient varieties, and farmer ingenuity. It’s a story of adaptation, revival, and food security in a region where every drop of water counts. From Flood to Firm Ground Rice has been grown in Kirinyaga since the 1950s, when the Mwea-Tebere Irrigation Scheme transformed arid plains into East Africa’s largest rice bowl. But not all land is suitable for irrigation. On the county’s rain-fed slopes and marginal soils, upland rice—locally called ng’aragu ya mũkaro (rice of the dry land)—offers a low-cost alternative. Dry rice farming surged in the 2010s as climate variab...

In the world of rice, few innovations have sparked as much hope for smallholder farmers as NERICA—the New Rice for Africa. Born from a cross between high-yielding Asian rice (Oryza sativa) and resilient African rice (Oryza glaberrima), NERICA varieties are drought-tolerant, early-maturing, and nutrient-efficient. They were developed to thrive in rain-fed uplands where traditional rice struggles. In Kirinyaga County, Kenya, NERICA has become the backbone of dryland rice farming, turning marginal soils into food and income. Below is a detailed guide to the most widely grown NERICA varieties in Kenya, with agronomic traits, performance data, and farmer insights from Kirinyaga and beyond. NERICA 1 Parentage: WAB 56-104 × CG 14 Maturity: 95–100 days Yield Potential: 4.5–6.0 t/ha (with good management) Plant Height: 90–110 cm Grain Type: Long, slender Key Traits: High tillering (12–18 tillers/plant) Moderate drought tolerance Resistant to rice blast and African rice gall midge Good weed comp...

Nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Kenya, Kirinyaga County is a land where volcanic soils meet equatorial sunshine, creating one of East Africa’s most fertile agricultural belts. While tea and coffee dominate the headlines, a quieter revolution has been unfolding in its valleys and plateaus: floriculture. From the misty mornings of Kagio to the sun-drenched fields of Kerugoya, Kirinyaga has emerged as a powerhouse in Kenya’s cut-flower industry, supplying roses, carnations, and hypericum to supermarkets and florists across Europe and beyond.  The Roots of a Floral Empire Floriculture in Kirinyaga traces its origins to the early 2000s, when large-scale commercial farms began experimenting with rose cultivation under greenhouse conditions. The county’s altitude (1,200–1,800 meters above sea level), cool nights, and abundant water from the Nyamindi and Ragati rivers provided ideal growing conditions. By 2010, smallholder farmers—many organized into cooperatives—had joined the boo...

In the vibrant digital landscape of faith-based content, few creators manage to blend spiritual upliftment with the lush beauty of tropical life quite like Ionut Nancy. With her channel—accessible at tropiglobetreasures.com and hosted under the handle @TropiGlobe—Nancy has carved out a unique niche where gospel music, personal testimony, and the serene backdrop of Kenya’s equatorial landscapes converge. A Soul-Stirring Welcome   The channel’s tagline sets the tone:   “Welcome to Iont Nancy channel – where gospel meets the tropics in songs that lift your spirit and soothe your soul!   This isn’t mere marketing—it’s a promise delivered through 34 thoughtfully produced videos that resonate with authenticity. From acapella renditions of classic hymns to original compositions infused with Swahili and English lyrics, Nancy’s voice carries the warmth of a Sunday morning service under an open sky. Content That Transcends Screens   While many gospel channe...

In the verdant embrace of Gichugu Constituency, Kirinyaga County—where the misty slopes of Mount Kenya whisper promises of abundance—a simple yet revolutionary idea is quenching the thirst of both land and people. The Kandiu Water Project isn't just pipes and pumps; it's a gravity-fed lifeline that's turning parched fields into bountiful harvests, all for a modest KES 400 monthly fee. Unlimited access to clean, reliable water has empowered smallholder farmers to diversify crops, build resilience against erratic rains, and foster a sense of communal triumph. Inspired by a recent visit documented in a heartfelt video from SMART_TRAVELLER MEMOIRS, this post dives into the project's origins, innovations, and the profound ways it's reshaping lives in Kirinyaga's heartland. It's a testament to local ingenuity, where water isn't just a resource—it's a catalyst for change. 💧 From Drought to Determination: The Birth of Kandiu Gichugu, one of Kirinyaga's ...

 Nestled at the foothills of Mount Kenya—Kirinyaga to the Kikuyu people, meaning "the place of brightness"—Kirinyaga County is a patchwork of fertile valleys, rolling highlands, and innovative farms. While renowned for its coffee, tea, and rice paddies, this Central Kenyan gem is quietly blooming with pawpaw (papaya) orchards. Carica papaya, with its vibrant orange flesh packed with vitamins A and C, isn't just a backyard staple here; it's a smart diversification crop for smallholders facing coffee's price volatility. Farmers like Peter Murekio in Kibirigwi are proving pawpaws can yield sweet profits—up to Sh50,000 weekly from a single acre—while thriving in the county's mid-altitude microclimates. As Kenya's pawpaw production surges toward export potential, let's dig into why Kirinyaga's slopes are ripe for this tropical treasure. Pawpaws' Kenyan Roots: From Backyard to Boom Crop Pawpaws arrived in Kenya in the late 1800s via missionaries and ...

Posted on November 9, 2025 In the shadow of Mount Kenya—revered by the Kikuyu as Kirinyaga, the "place of brightness"—a quiet revolution is blooming. Kirinyaga County, with its fertile volcanic soils and temperate highlands, is emerging as a surprising hotspot for floriculture, Kenya's vibrant flower farming sector. While Naivasha and Thika dominate headlines with vast rose plantations, Kirinyaga's smallholder farmers are carving out a niche with summer flowers like ammi and arabicum, turning one-acre plots into export powerhouses. This isn't just about pretty petals; it's a story of resilience, economic empowerment, and sustainable beauty that sustains over 2 million livelihoods nationwide. As global demand for eco-friendly blooms surges, let's wander through Kirinyaga's flower fields and uncover how planting these jewels can transform lives. ❤️ Roots in Resilience: The Rise of Flowers in Kirinyaga Floriculture in Kenya exploded in the 1980s, but Kiri...

Tucked against the majestic flanks of Mount Kenya—known to the Kikuyu people as Kirinyaga, or "the place of brightness"—lies a county where every rustle of leaves tells a story of resilience and richness. Here, in Kirinyaga, coffee isn't just a crop; it's a lifeline, a legacy, and a labor of love. As the second-largest coffee-producing region in Kenya, Kirinyaga's undulating highlands produce beans that command global acclaim for their vibrant acidity, juicy fruit notes, and chocolatey depth. But behind those premium cups are smallholder farmers battling the elements, innovating with regenerative practices, and dreaming of a brighter future. Join me as we brew a deeper understanding of coffee farming in this verdant heartland. ❤️ A Brewed Legacy: How Coffee Took Root in Kirinyaga Coffee's journey to Kirinyaga is a tale as layered as a perfect espresso. While wild coffee grew in neighboring Ethiopia for centuries, it wasn't until 1893 that French Holy Ghost...

 By a Kirinyaga dairy farmer who just wants better milk I saw that Itungo Pastures video doing rounds on YouTube Shorts — “Increase milk and beef by planting these forages.” 4.3K views in 3 days. Nice. But I’m not here to sell you seeds. I’m a farmer in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, milking 12 cows on 2 acres. I’ve tried the grasses they talk about. Some work. Some don’t. Here’s the real talk — no ads, no affiliate links, just what I’ve learned the hard way. Brachiaria (Mulato II)  What it is: Hybrid Brachiaria grass, not the local wild type. - Why I love it    - Grows fast even in dry January–February.     - Cows eat every blade — no waste.     - Milk went from 8 liters to 14 liters per cow in 3 months.   - Real cost: KSh 1,200 per kg seed. 5 kg covers 1 acre.   - Where I got it: Local agrovet in Kerugoya (ask for certified Mulato II).   - Tip: Mix with desmodium. Fixes nitrogen. Saves fertilizer money. Napier...