Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has unveiled an ambitious push to elevate the county into one of Kenya’s premier tourism powerhouses, declaring that the area as rising magnet for adventure, culture and conferencing.
Addressing residents during the Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Wang’uru Girls Senior School, Waiguru announced the proposed Kirinyaga County Local Tourism Bill, 2025, will establish a legal framework to promote local tourism.
Waiguru said the bill will commercialize cultural heritage, strengthen sports tourism, regulate tourism enterprises and attract private investors to the county.
She urged the County Assembly to prioritize its passage, saying the legislation would usher in a new era where Kirinyaga takes full charge of its tourism story.
The Governor said the county is no longer a mere transit zone but a new frontier in hospitality industry.
“As the country reflects on the hard-won freedom secured by our own heroes such as General Kassam Njogu, General Chui wa Mararo, General Magoto, Muthoni Nyanjiru and Nahashon Ngare Rukenya, true independence must now be felt in economic opportunity, including harnessing the county’s rich tourism assets,” she asserted.
The county boss said tourism now sits at the centre of the county’s economic future, aligning perfectly with this year’s national theme: Tourism, Wildlife and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE).
She described Kirinyaga as a naturally gifted destination, blessed with sweeping landscapes, powerful rivers, lush forests and the iconic Mt. Kenya, forming a combination that places the county among the region’s most promising tourism frontiers.
“From the rapidly growing adventure hub along the Sagana River, renowned for rafting, kayaking, canoeing, zip-lining and archery, to the magnificent waterfalls of Kamweti, Gatitika, Rwamuthambi, Karumandi and Njine Kabia, the governor said Kirinyaga is steadily drawing thrill seekers and nature lovers alike,” she said.
She further noted that the mystic Ndaraca ya Ngai, the scenic forest trails such as Kaweti and cycling routes weaving through Kerugoya, Kagio, Sagana, Wang’uru and the Sagana–Kangocho–Karatina climb have lately been attracting both local and international adventure seekers.
The governor also cited the Thingira Cultural Centre and the panoramic Murinduko Hill as powerful complements to the county’s natural attractions.
With more than 160 hotels and resorts, enhanced road networks and expanding conferencing facilities, Waiguru affirmed that Kirinyaga is well-positioned to grow road trips, weekend getaways, eco-tourism circuits and the lucrative MICE segment.
Waiguru also emphasized the link between tourism and broader development, citing ongoing efforts to rehabilitate roads, modernize key towns, improve water supply and strengthen the health system, noting that such investments reinforce Kirinyaga’s appeal as a reliable and enticing destination.
She further pointed to the progress of the Sagana Industrial City, comprising an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and the near-complete County Aggregation and Industrial Park, as another transformative project poised to stimulate the county’s economy and indirectly grow tourism. The project is expected to create over 10,000 direct jobs and 170,000 indirect jobs, catalyzing new opportunities in hospitality, logistics and agro-tourism.
Governor Waiguru also invited Kenyans to savour Kirinyaga’s unique charm this festive season.
“Come and taste our aromatic Pishori rice, sip our world-class coffee, raft the roaring Sagana River, chase our majestic waterfalls, and enjoy our hospitality,” she appealed.
The governor also promised that title deeds for the massive South Ngariama land will soon be issued and that President Ruto will be coming to present them to the rightful owners.
Kirinyaga Central MP Gachoki Gitari who also attended the celebrations, said the county has made lot of development gains because of it solid support to the government of the days.
Speaker of the County Assembly, Muteti Murimi, assured residents that consideration of the tourism bill will be the Assembly’s first agenda item when sittings resume after the Christmas recess.
