Over 231 farmers in Kuresoi South who were given free pyrethrum seedlings by the Nakuru County government have started reaping benefits from the crop.

Those interviewed said they harvest the cash crop twice a month and now pocket good money enabling them to pay their children’s school fee with ease as well as boosting their livelihoods.

” I am now like any other salaried person because I harvest the crop twice a week and sell them after every month Ksh. 200 a kilo and get at least sh. 15,000 monthly. I have, therefore, extended a half an acre and am waiting for rains to start so that I plant one more acre,” Joshua Tonui said

He added that before planting pyrethrum, he used to plant potatoes and peas that were costly and required intensive care with a lot of fertilizers, spraying with chemicals only to be disappointed by exploitative selling prices.

In 2018, Governor Lee Kinyanjui launched the Pyrethrum Revival program that saw farmers from Kuresoi South, Kuresoi North, Subukia, Gilgil and Molo receive planting materials.

Joseph Koech, Julius Langat, Amos Tuitoek and Alfred Koech are among the farmers who got the seedlings for a quarter of an acre but have expanded after realising that the crop was well paying.

They thanked the Governor for reviving the crop and bringing in investors who buy from them at good prices adding that according to experts the produce from the region has high pyrethrin content.

” We are so much grateful to Governor Lee Kinyanjui for showing us the way. Once you have planted only weeding is required. He put money in our pockets. This is a true leader who minds for his electorate,” he said

Koech however, said, having seen how the crop has changed the lives of many, there is high demand for seedlings among the locals, so requested the County government to distribute more seedlings before the onset of heavy rains in April.

Sub-county Agricultural Officer, Ms Grace Langat said the farmers in 2018, 2019 and 2020 got disease-free and certified pyrethrum planting materials from the County Government of Nakuru under the pyrethrum revival program.

The flagship Hass Avocado farming program by the County Government of Nakuru has started yielding fruits.

Over the weekend, 14 farmers in Amalo and Kiptagich wards in Kuresoi South sub-County harvested and sold 4.2 tons of avocados.

Processors and exporters, among them Sunripe Kenya Ltd that is buying a kilogram of the fruit at Sh110, have camped in the region.

Sunripe Kenya Ltd field officer Mr Samuel Ndura said Kenyan farmers can not satisfy the local and international avocado market.

He urged farmers to plant more avocado trees. The company has taken upon itself to educate farmers on proper crop husbandry.

Kuresoi South sub-County agricultural officer Ms Grace Lang’at said farmers in the region so far have over 20,000 avocado trees.

She urged farmers to form cooperatives to help in marketing, offering extension services and seedling propagations.

Mr Paul Mitei, a small scale farmer at Kitoben in Amalo Ward said avocado is more profitable compared to tea and maize farming.

He said the farmers were in the process of forming cooperatives to enjoy incentives such as free seedlings and training by the County.

Mr Japhet Mutai, an avocado farmer in Kiptagich Ward said avocado farming is a profitable venture urging farmers to diversify on crops.

The burglary suspect who was filmed being brutalized by police officers at Olenguruone in Kuresoi South sustaining serious injuries will face the law once she recovers.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner Mr George Natembeya said a criminal offence was committed and Ms Mercy Cherono is a prime suspect.

An armed police officer has been assigned to man her and her visitors at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital.

It’s alleged that Ms Cherono and her two male accomplices, who then managed to flee, broke into a police house and stole valuables among them cash and police uniform.

“Ms Cherono and all the suspects she named are under arrest and have recorded statements to aid police with investigations,” he revealed.

Mr Natembeya also confirmed that investigations have been launched on the police officers and will equally face the law if found culpable.

The regional boss was speaking after visiting Ms Cherono at the Nakuru Level 5 Hospital where she is nursing fractured leg and an arm as well as deep facial bruises.

Mr Natembeya regretted that members of the public found time to film the incident instead of rescuing the desperate lady, “A suspect remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of law.”

“I have personally taken over the matter and will ensure that justice is served. Moving her from Olenguruone to Nakuru is a move to ensure there is no interference with the investigations,” he said.

He urged members of the public to work with police and report cases of indiscipline among police officers, that often lead to brutality.