Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru on Wednesday intensified the county’s transformation agenda by unveiling three major development projects in a single, action-packed day. The governor presided over the site handovers and groundbreaking ceremonies for two modern markets—Kiumbu and Wamumu—in Mwea, as well as the Sagana Affordable Housing Project in Ndia. The projects, she said, are designed to improve livelihoods for traders, families, and job seekers while anchoring the county’s broader economic vision. Together, the developments are expected to benefit thousands of residents and accelerate Kirinyaga’s transition into a commercially competitive and investment-ready region.
The Kiumbu and Wamumu markets, which will collectively serve about 700 traders, mark a significant shift from the disorderly open-air trading areas that have long challenged local commerce. Once completed, each market will host modern stalls, proper sanitation systems, reliable utilities, ICT hubs with free WiFi, food courts, and a dedicated crèche for mothers. Waiguru noted that the facilities are aligned with the nearly completed County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Sagana, where farmers and traders will access value addition services and larger markets. At the same time, the Sagana Affordable Housing Project—part of the national housing programme—will deliver 487 units in its first phase, creating at least 300 direct jobs and injecting new business for local contractors, suppliers, and transporters. The project forms part of the wider Sagana Agro-Industrial City Masterplan, which includes plans for an EPZ and a Special Economic Zone.
Residents and leaders welcomed the developments as a turning point for the county. MCA Peter Karinga praised the new markets for their potential to transform small-town economies, while residents such as Martha Wangui celebrated the continuity of services, noting recent improvements in the health sector. Leaders also commended the governor for reclaiming and securing 252 acres of public land for industrial use—a move they said restored confidence in local governance. Waiguru reiterated her pledge to deliver a county where every resident can thrive, saying the new projects reflect her administration’s long-term commitment to job creation, improved services, and inclusive growth.