Njuki’s Leadership Delivers Record Growth as Tharaka-Nithi Surges to Ksh 87.9 Billion Economy

Tharaka-Nithi County has posted its strongest economic performance yet, with Governor Muthomi Njuki announcing an 11.5 percent rise in Gross County Product (GCP) during his 2025 State of the County Address at the County Assembly Chambers in Kathwana.

Now in his second and final term, Njuki credited the growth to sustained investments in agriculture, healthcare, education, infrastructure, and digital transformation, investments he said have laid the foundation for a resilient, future-ready County.

According to the governor, the county’s GCP rose from Ksh 80.5 billion in 2022 to Ksh 87.9 billion in 2023, driven largely by agriculture and enhanced revenue collection. Own-source revenue now makes up 6 percent of the county’s resource envelope, with a significant portion of health facility revenue channeled to the Facility Improvement Fund (FIF) for uninterrupted medical supplies.

AGRICULTURE

Agriculture remains the backbone of Tharaka-Nithi, employing 80 percent of residents and contributing an average of 30 percent of the county’s Gross Value Added. Njuki highlighted sweeping reforms aimed at boosting productivity, value addition, and climate resilience.

The county’s certified seed distribution programme, now in its 11th season, has issued 540 metric tons of certified seed to over 200,000 farmers, enhancing food security and stabilizing yields. Additionally, 80 tons of cotton seeds were distributed in Igambang’ombe, Chiakariga, and Mwimbi to revive the once-thriving cotton industry.

To diversify incomes and build climate resilience, farmers also received 13 tons of sunflower seed benefiting 13,000 households; 35,000 macadamia seedlings; 15,000 Hass avocado seedlings; 2,000 cashew nuts; 1,000 coconut seedlings; and 2,150 bixa seedlings.

Njuki emphasized fertilizer access as a major productivity driver. The county now hosts six e-voucher fertilizer depots at Mitheru, Kirumi, Magutuni, Mukuuni,Nkondi and Karingani stocked with over 90,000 bags of fertilizer, guaranteeing timely last-mile delivery to farmers.

These interventions have doubled green-gram yields from 1.5 to 3 bags per acre and pushed maize yields from 6 to 10 bags per acre. Between 2022 and 2024, maize production rose from 313,000 to 366,700 bags, beans from 36,500 to 65,800 bags, and green grams from 69,000 to an unprecedented 191,000 bags.

Coffee and tea production also received significant support. Over 30,000 coffee seedlings were distributed, and six factories namely Kinoru and Miigi in Magumoni Ward, Nthima in Mugwe Ward, Weru in Muthambi Ward, Mutindwa and Kairuni in Chogoria Ward, rehabilitated.

Plans are underway to upgrade multiple cooperative societies including Tharaka Nithi County Coffee Mill Cooperative Union

in Mitheru ward, Meru South Farmers’ Cooperative Union, Mutindwa Farmers’ Cooperative Society (FCS) in Chogoria ward, Thuita FCS in Magumoni ward, Ndagani FCS in Karingani ward, New Muthambi FCS

in Muthambi Ward, Kirubia FCS in Mugwe ward, Naka and Mitheru FCS in Mitheru

ward and establish a new coffee factory at Naka in Mariani Ward.

The county has also rehabilitated more than 70 Tea Buying Centres in previous years, with 17 additional centers prioritized for upgrades this financial year.

LIVESTOCK AND AQUACULTURE

Tharaka-Nithi is experiencing a livestock sector boom, driven by improved breeds, enhanced extension services, artificial insemination, and pasture development. Milk production rose by 6 million litres from 128 million litres in 2023 to 134 million litres in 2024 while acreage under pasture increased by 25 percent.

More than 53,000 artificial inseminations have been carried out since 2019. The county also vaccinated over 500,000 animals and recruited 25 private Animal Health Assistants, 9 veterinary Surgeons, and 16 meat inspectors.

Njuki reported that 10,000 farmers have insured their livestock, receiving bonuses worth over Ksh 100 million.

Aquaculture is also thriving with 3,000 fishponds, 12 hatcheries, and 1.6 million fingerlings produced. More than 2,500 active fish farmers and over 600 youth are now engaged in the value chain. Research stations at Kinondoni and KEMFRI-Mutonga continue to support innovation, while Aquaculture Field Schools have trained more than 200 farmers.

HEALTHCARE

The Njuki administration has achieved major milestones in expanding healthcare access and quality. One of the biggest successes is the establishment of a fully functional Intensive Care Unit, reducing costly referrals outside the county.

The county is also in the final stages of opening an amenity ward at Chuka Level Five Hospital. New diagnostic centers with digital X-ray and ultrasound machines have been opened in Muthambi and Gatunga, while Chuka Level Five now houses a 128-slice CT scanner.

Tje Health sector has also benefited from the completion of the new laboratory established at Miomponi, dispensary in Mukothima, as well as construction of the Kiang'ondu Dispensary maternity block in Karingani.

Over 70 healthcare workers have been recruited, and 20 sent for specialized medical training.

Mpukoni Health Centre, one of the oldest in the region, is being upgraded to Level Four in partnership with the Safaricom Foundation.

Free medical camps have supported more than 787 women, with 230 undergoing life-changing fistula surgeries. Children’s health has improved through collaborations with KEPRECON-CEBA and expanded immunization coverage across 126 facilities.

The county has also empowered 1,265 Community Health Promoters, crucial in managing Mpox cases and extending primary healthcare coverage.

The Governor also announced that 61.6% of the county’s population were registered under SHA, ranking Tharaka-Nithi 8th out of the 47 counties.

EDUCATION AND DIGITAL LEARNING

With 438 ECDE centers serving nearly 18,000 learners, supported by 876 caregivers of which 462 caregivers are directly employed by the county government. The county continues to improve early childhood learning through new classrooms, water tanks, and digital resources where 56 ECDE centres have been installed with 10,000 litre water tanks.

The flagship partnership with Kenyatta and Yale Universities has rolled out a transformative early learning program in 118 centers.

A digital learning pilot with Eidu now provides 400 devices to 218 schools, reaching over 10,000 learners.

Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) are also expanding. The county operates 24 VTCs, one per ward, and has completed dormitories, workshops, a computer lab, and a motor vehicle workshop in Mugumango, Muthambi, Marimanti, Kieganguru, Nguruki, Kajuki among other VCTs.

Through the KCB Foundation’s 2jiajiri Programme, 290 trainees received full sponsorship this year.

Youth-friendly centers offering entrepreneurship, ICT access, mentorship, and psychosocial support are also in development.

-WATER, CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Under the FLLoCA program and other partnerships, the county has completed major water supply and climate resilience projects including the Kiaga, Rukiriri, Naikara, and Gatonto water systems.

School biogas projects at Kimuchia and Kieni are reducing firewood reliance. More than 10,000 trees have been planted in learning institutions, and 5,000 fruit seedlings distributed to farmers.

Through KISIP, Marimanti and Kathwana municipalities are receiving improved water supply, while the Tuchianka, Kibuuka-Gakimiki, and Ura-Kathangacini water projects expand countywide access.

Additionally, the County Government Through the Kenya Informal Sector Project (KISIP),

are supplying water to Marimanti town and Kathwana Municipality.

In partnership with Action Aid and

Safaricom MPESA Foundation, the Njuki administration is implementing

Tuchianka Water Project, which covers most areas in Chiakariga Ward, including Nkarini, Chiakariga Market and Materi areas and has also partnered with the NationalGovernment for expansion of Kibuuka-Gakimiki Water Project.

Njuki announced that his government has continued to support NITHAWASCO in expanding vital water connections in Mariani, Mugwe, and Karingani with notable progress already achieved at Chuka Technical.

Under the Framework Contract for rehabilitation of boreholes, he announced completed works at Gankunyi, Ndumbini, Kiamurukima, Gaceuni, Kamacabi, Arithi,Majengo, Kaurani, and Muthangani boreholes.

Rehabilitation of key irrigation systems

include Murimi, Thuita, Muringa Banana, Mbwiru, Mwanjati, and Gituja which are at procurement stage, covering communities in Chogoria, Magumoni, Mwimbi, Mariani, and Muthambi.

The African Development Bank/Tana Water Works Development Authority

has also funded Chuka and Chogoria Bulk Water Supply Projects with 94 percent completion.

ROADS, BRIDGES & URBAN DEVELOPMENT

Njuki reported completion of several strategic bridges, including Tungu, Kangutu, Kilifi, and Mpurí Kiego. Multiple new bridges, such as Kwa MaCarter, Mpuku, and Kaganjo, are planned.

The governor highlighted major roadworks such as Kathwana Municipality roads, Marimanti Town Roads, and the Karandini–Kithioroni upgrade.

The county is also advancing market modernization and affordable housing projects across the county.

The county has also successfully secured

18 acres of land at Ntuntuni for the establishment of an Integrated Solid Waste Management Site, and an additional 10 acres for the expansion of the

Agricultural Training Institute in Igambang’ombe.

CULTURE, SPORTS & HERITAGE

Tharaka-Nithi has gained global visibility through the Ura Gate Cultural Festival. The county is now rolling out regional cultural festivals in Chuka, Maara, and Tharaka to strengthen cultural identity and boost the creative economy.

Sports development has received renewed support through equipment distribution to 38 teams, partnerships with FKF and school associations, and construction of the Kajiunduthi Stadium, with Kibugua and Rwatha stadiums planned next.