Meru Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia, has vowed to make Meru the first county in Kenya to complete and operationalize the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) being built in partnership with the national government
The Governor declared that Meru is ready to set the pace for the rest of the country through bold investments in value addition and market access for farmers.
Governor M’Ethingia spoke during a high-level consultative meeting with the CEO of the Council of Governors (COG) and Hon. Moses Kuria, the Economic Advisor to President William Ruto.
The meeting focused on unlocking market opportunities for Meru’s key agricultural value chains coffee, tea, miraa (khat), avocado, macadamia, bananas, potatoes, and milk.
“The CAIP will serve as a central hub for sorting, grading, and storing farm produce, linking farmers to both local and international markets. We are working round the clock to complete the project,” Governor Mutuma said.
Supporting this hub will be a network of smaller aggregation and collection centers across the county, each tailored to specific crops and regions.
Already, aggregators and investors are aligning with the vision, drawn by the promise of a streamlined, farmer-centered system.
Under this model, farmers will receive instant payments upon delivering their produce a significant shift from the delayed and exploitative systems of the past.
“With bold steps like these, we are ensuring that the blessings of our land are converted into wealth, dignity, and prosperity for every farmer,” he said.
On Monday, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the Meru CAIP is among 13 which will be ready for commissioning by the end of the year.
