Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii on Thursday, September 10, 2026, appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to deliberate on budgetary allocations to the agriculture sector and the implementation status of agriculture programmes and projects in the County.
The Committee was informed that Uasin Gishu County had allocated Ksh 520.15 million to Agriculture and Agribusiness in the Financial Year 2023/24, Ksh 713.73 million in 2024/25 and Ksh 767.54 million in 2025/26.
However, the actual expenditure for the three financial years stood at Ksh 366.62 million, Ksh 481.16 million and Ksh 442.28 million respectively, representing absorption rates of 70.48 per cent, 67.41 per cent and 62.9 per cent.
The County attributed the lower absorption of allocated funds partly to technicalities associated with the Electronic Government Procurement (e-GP) system. The low absorption, the Committee was informed, had affected agricultural production, access to new technologies, innovation and management practices, while delays in vaccination had contributed to increased livestock mortality and disease incidence.
Uasin Gishu’s key agriculture investments
Among the key agriculture investments undertaken by the County is the Coffee Processing Plant in Kamagut, which has an allocation of Ksh 34.4 million and is currently 60 per cent complete. The project is expected to benefit about 15,000 coffee farmers. The County has also invested Ksh 31.5 million in the Potato Processing Plant in Ainabkoi/Olare, whose construction and equipping have been completed and is awaiting commissioning, with an estimated 12,000 farmers expected to benefit.
The County further reported that Ksh 60 million had been allocated for the distribution of coffee seedlings across the County, with the seedlings procured, delivered and distributed to 2,125 farmers.
Under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), the County has implemented interventions aimed at improving agricultural productivity and strengthening farmer institutions through soil sampling, farmer training, climate-smart agriculture, farm ponds and enterprise development support.
The County has also rolled out various ward-level agricultural projects, including provision of coffee and high-value crop seeds, coffee seedlings, kitchen gardens, bean seeds, pyrethrum splits and value addition initiatives.
In the livestock sector, the County reported investments in milk processing and packaging, animal feed milling and packaging, poultry and livestock abattoirs, vaccines, artificial insemination services, fingerlings and pond liners. The listed livestock investments for the 2025/26 financial year amounted to Ksh 139.63 million, while ward projects accounted for an additional Ksh 32.11 million.
State of Uasin Gishu chicken abattoir and animal feed milling plant
The County highlighted the Specialised Chicken Abattoir Plant in Kuinet/Kapsuswa Ward, valued at Kshs 34.62 million, which is 98 per cent complete and awaiting installation of three-phase electricity. The project is expected to support poultry cooperatives, traders, hoteliers and residents through improved meat inspection, job creation and enhanced poultry value chains.
Another major project is the Animal Feed Milling and Packaging Plant in Cheptiret/Kipchamo Ward, valued at Ksh 56.33 million and 95 per cent complete. The remaining works include equipment installation and commissioning, with the project also awaiting three-phase electricity. The facility is expected to improve access to affordable and quality animal feeds and enhance incomes for dairy and poultry farmers.
On livestock disease control, the County has implemented vaccination programmes across all 30 wards targeting diseases including Foot and Mouth Disease, Lumpy Skin Disease, Black Quarter, Anthrax and Rabies. The County also reported continued investment in artificial insemination services aimed at improving dairy genetics, milk production and the quality of heifers.
In the fisheries sub-sector, the County has invested in fingerlings, fish feeds, demonstration fish ponds and dam liners. The fisheries directorate has also distributed starter mash and grower feeds to fish farmers, with the County noting that fish feeds account for more than 70 per cent of the total cost of fish production.
The County indicated that going forward, it would strengthen staff capacity and ensure timely availability of resources to improve budget absorption and accelerate implementation of agriculture, livestock and fisheries programmes and projects.
The engagement provided the Committee with an opportunity to assess the extent to which funds allocated to the agriculture sector were being utilised and the progress made in implementing projects intended to improve agricultural productivity, value addition, livestock development and livelihoods in Uasin Gishu County.
