Meru: Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki yesterday embarked on an inspection tour of Meru County’s Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), in Ruiri Rwa Reera, Buuri Constituency to review the construction progress and overall readiness of the facility.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Deputy President, accompanied by Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, Senator Kathuri Murungi, and a majority of MCAs led by their speaker Ayub Bundi, assessed the construction progress. This project is part of a national initiative to boost agro-industrial development at the county level.
Professor Kindiki emphasized that the center aims to focus on key agricultural value chains, supporting activities like aggregation, sorting, grading, and packaging of produce, with significant involvement from the youth in daily operations. This initiative is expected to create employment opportunities and enhance market access for local farmers.
The Meru CAIP is currently 80 percent complete, with plans for completion and operationalization
by December 31, 2025. Kindiki noted that farm produce from across Meru will be consolidated, awaiting fair prices, with value addition options for products possibly exported to foreign markets.
The Deputy President highlighted the potential for this initiative to protect farmers from exploitation by brokers, aligning with the Kenya Kwanza manifesto. Currently, 47 CAIPs are being constructed nationwide, with 13 at an advanced stage, including the one in Meru.
Governor Mutuma, national government officers, and cooperative leaders will collaborate to select produce for the industrial park, focusing on three or four value chains common in Meru. A private sector operator will be engaged to purchase produce, with storage and farmer receipts provided to handle price fluctuations. Cooperatives will offer farmers advances to cover expenses before price stabilization.
Kindiki stressed the necessity of value addition and proper packaging to secure better market prices, a practice intended for every county. He assured
that the national government would seek markets and experts for value addition, creating job opportunities in packaging, sorting, and blending for young people within the counties.
“Our work as government is to look for job opportunities for our youthful generation and profitability for Meru farmers for their agricultural produce, and this is one of the many ways of doing it,” said Kindiki. He added that the 13 CAIPs will be completed by the end of this year for President William Ruto to commission them.