Nairobi: The Government of Kenya has announced plans to construct the Kenya School of Agriculture (KSA) in Makueni County, with a budget of Sh100 million earmarked for the project. This initiative aims to develop skilled human capital necessary to modernize agriculture, thereby enhancing food and nutrition security in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, State Department for Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Paul Kipronoh Ronoh highlighted that the KSA Makueni Campus will provide quality agricultural training, bringing it closer to the residents. The school is set to equip farmers, extension officers, youth, and agripreneurs with essential practical knowledge and modern skills to foster a robust agricultural sector.
Dr. Ronoh emphasized the significance of this development during the foundation stone laying ceremony, stating that it marks a milestone for Makueni County and the wider Lower Eastern region. The government is committed to investing in agricultural education, innovation, and skills development, which are seen as critical drivers of food security, job creation, and economic transformation.
The new campus will offer a seamless progression for learners under the Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET) framework, enabling students to advance from Level 3 to Levels 4, 5, and 6 programs locally. The school will provide training for serving officers and form four graduates, offering certificate and diploma courses. The construction, undertaken by PCI Engineering, is expected to be completed by November this year.
Dr. Ronoh reiterated the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development’s dedication to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), noting that agriculture contributed 23.2 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025. He stressed the importance of embracing modern, climate-smart, and technology-driven agriculture to unlock its full potential.
The PS also noted that the new campus would stimulate economic growth by creating employment, attracting investment, and promoting agribusiness, positioning Makueni as a hub for agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship. The aim is to empower farmers to shift from subsistence to commercial agriculture, leading to increased productivity and improved livelihoods.
Dr. Ronoh commended the Makueni County government for its collaboration and provision of land for the school. He assured that the national government is ready to support local farmers with seeds for cotton and sunflower to boost crop farming and income generation.
He encouraged farmers to plant coffee, citing its lucrative market with prices reaching Sh150 per kilogram. Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. also urged the national government to facilitate market access for farm produce, especially mangoes, to maximize farmers’ profits and protect them from exploitation by middlemen.
Governor Mutula called for the swift completion of the Thwake Multi-purpose dam to provide water for irrigation, which is crucial for enhancing food production and security in Makueni. He welcomed the construction of KSA as a transformative initiative and encouraged the youth to enroll for skills that will enable self-sufficiency.
The event was attended by Deputy County Commissioner Peter Kimani, Acting County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Damaris Kavoi, Education counterpart Japheth Mang’oka, and other government officials.
