Anne Waiguru transforming Kirinyaga

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 114.9 billion in 2017 to KSh 190.79 billion in 2024, outpacing the national average.

Economic Empowerment: Jobs, Agriculture, and Industrial Growth

Waiguru's flagship Wezesha Kirinyaga program has been a lifeline for over 100,000 farmers, emphasizing value chains in poultry, dairy, avocado, tomatoes, and more. Rice production has doubled to 210,000 metric tons annually, generating KSh 15 billion for farmers, while Kirinyaga now leads Kenya in tomato output at 116,000 tons worth KSh 6.9 billion. Dairy yields have tripled from 2.5 to 7 liters per cow daily, adding KSh 3.1 billion to local incomes, bolstered by subsidized artificial insemination and affordable feeds. Coffee earnings hit a record KSh 7.6 billion in 2024, with factories paying up to KSh 148 per kilogram of cherry—the highest in Kenya.

On the industrial front, the Sagana Industrial City and upcoming County Aggregation and Industrial Processing Site (CAIPS) Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and Export Processing Zone (EPZ) are game-changers, attracting over 60 investors and poised to create 10,000 direct jobs and 170,000 indirect ones. Initiatives like the Kaitheri Apparel Factory employ women and youth in garment production, while a new tomato processing factory and dairy yogurt plant (e.g., Runto Yogurt) add value to local produce, turning raw goods into export-ready products.These efforts have not only boosted revenues—from KSh 344 million in 2017 to KSh 852 million in 2024 via digitized Kiripay systems—but also empowered women through projects like hospital linen tailoring, where county contracts support local tailors at market rates.

Healthcare: From Access to Excellence

Waiguru's health reforms have saved lives and eased burdens. The upgraded Kerugoya Level 5 Hospital, now serving 600 outpatients and 400 inpatients daily, offers specialized services like dialysis and imaging, drastically cutting referrals to distant facilities. Maternal mortality has plummeted from 88 to 55 per 100,000 births, with skilled birth attendance at 92%, thanks to 20 new dispensaries, 21 health centers, and 854 Community Health Promoters deployed county-wide. Recent additions include three dialysis machines and advanced equipment under the National Equipment Supply Program, advancing Universal Health Coverage (UHC). Leaders like Idah Odinga have praised these strides, suggesting the hospital be renamed in Waiguru's honor as her enduring legacy.

Infrastructure and Urban Renewal: Connectivity for Prosperity

Over 7,000 km of roads have been graded and maintained, with 118,550 m² of cabro paving modernizing towns like Kutus, Kerugoya, and Kagio. Urban master plans ensure orderly growth, while 800 acres of grabbed public land have been recovered for schools, hospitals, and housing. Water access has jumped from 62% to 78% of households through 200 projects, 75 boreholes, and reforms at KICOWASCO, benefiting over 100,000 people with clean water for homes, schools, and farms.Eighteen modern markets and aggregation centers, plus street lighting for 1,200+ poles, foster a 24-hour economy and safer streets.

Education, Youth, and Women: Building Tomorrow's Leaders

Education investments include KSh 540.7 million in bursaries (plus KSh 100 million more in 2025), over 40 ECDE classrooms, and 12 vocational centers equipping youth with skills. The Minji Minji Football Tournament engages thousands in sports, while polytechnics like Kaitheri and Kibingoti excel nationally in music festivals.For women, Wezesha Mama Kirinyaga opens procurement doors, and Waiguru's advocacy—earning her the 2024 Political Trailblazer of the Year award—has inspired more female leaders.

Environment and Governance: Sustainable and Transparent Progress

Tree cover has risen from 18.5% to 30.4% with 8.2 million trees planted, and 7,000 households now use clean LPG under Digitization across services—from revenue to health—ensures transparency, with Kirinyaga topping development budget absorption rates.

Waiguru's tenure isn't without challenges—droughts, market volatility, and political hurdles—but her collaborative spirit, from partnering with the national government on EPZs to engaging bodaboda riders and women's groups, has built unity. As she finishes strong, Kirinyaga's story is one of grit and growth: a county where every resident—from farmer to entrepreneur—feels the pulse of opportunity.

In Waiguru's words, "What we’ve achieved is more than progress; it’s a blueprint for rural transformation." Kirinyaga's people are living proof.