More than 600 new jobs are set to be created in the plans by the United States biotech firm Kentegra to set up a new pyrethrum processing company in Nakuru.

The firm's head of operations Micah Thuo said the setting up of the facility will be complete by the end of the year.

He also revealed that the firm has already contracted more than 2,000 farmers with a total land coverage of more than 600 acres in Gilgil, Kuresoi South and Molo sub counties.

The firm is expected to process over 300,000 tonnes of pyrethrum by the end of 2023 and more than 750,000 tonnes by the year 2025.

“The company, once set up, will help create 600 direct jobs by the end of this year,” said Mr Thuo.

Kentegra was granted a permit to extract, process, and sell pyrethrum products in Kenya.

The firm signed a deal with the county administration in January to promote agriculture, technology transfer, trade and investment opportunities that could transform the livelihoods of the residents.

In the said deal, Kentegra network committed a Sh 61 million grant to expand the pyrethrum growing base.

Governor Susan Kihika said the deal with the firm will go a long way in supporting efforts to revive the crop in the region.

According to Ms Kihika the most effective way to jump start the once lucrative pyrethrum sector is to unlock the bottlenecks along the value chain.

She vowed to roll out a massive campaign towards reviving and promoting pyrethrum farming.

“As a county, we have put in place plans to embark on a massive campaign to urge the farmers to consider planting the crop once again. We are focused on restoring pyrethrum farming as a sustainable source of income for farmers in the county,” said Governor Kihika.

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US based company to employ 600 Nakuru youth

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Joseph Openda