Kitui Governor Julius Malombe has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising the cotton sector, pledging stronger support for farmers and cooperatives to boost productivity and restore the crop’s economic significance in the county. Speaking during a meeting with officials from the Fibre Crops Directorate of the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), the governor said his government will focus on empowering producer groups through governance, business training, and expanded extension services aimed at strengthening the cotton value chain.
The engagement, led by AFA officials Grace Kyalo and Fanuel Lubanga, centred on strategies to improve the fibre crop sector, particularly cotton and sisal—two commodities that play a vital role in arid and semi-arid counties such as Kitui, Homa Bay, Siaya, Lamu, and Meru. Kitui was ranked fifth nationally in cotton production in 2022, but officials noted that a combination of falling global market prices, the collapse of the integrated support system for cotton inputs, and weakened farmer organisation has hindered growth. According to Lubanga, many cotton farmers remain unorganised and unaffiliated with cooperatives, making it difficult to achieve structured production and sustainable earnings. Kyalo added that thousands of farmers abandoned cotton after years of instability in the sector.
Despite the challenges, data indicates that Kenya still hosts between 25,000 and 45,000 smallholder cotton farmers across more than half of the country’s counties, pointing to significant untapped potential. Governor Malombe said strengthening cooperatives and restoring extension services will ensure farmers receive proper training, access to quality seeds, and technical guidance—key ingredients for reviving the crop. Local leaders at the meeting echoed the need for a more coordinated system to stabilise the market and increase farmer incomes.
Looking ahead, the national government is expected to intensify its support for the sector, with Industry Principal Secretary Dr. Juma Mukhwana scheduled to visit Kitui in October to launch the next phase of cotton seed distribution. County officials believe that with improved organisation, modernised value chains, and renewed government backing, Kitui’s cotton industry could reclaim its place as a major contributor to local livelihoods and national industrialisation goals under Vision 2030.