President William Ruto has appointed former Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja as the non-executive chairperson of the Pyrethrum Processing Company of Kenya (PPCK). The appointment, made through Gazette Notice No. 6470 dated May 23, 2025, marks a strategic move to revive Kenya’s once-thriving pyrethrum sector.
Samboja, who served as Taita Taveta governor from 2017 to 2022, brings a mix of political and private sector experience to the role. Before entering politics, he was a prominent media entrepreneur, having founded Milele FM and owned Anguo FM, a Taita-language radio station. His leadership will now be tested in steering the Nakuru-based state corporation, which processes and markets pyrethrum a natural insecticide extracted from chrysanthemum flowers.
Pyrethrum was once a key Kenyan export, with the country supplying over 70% of global production in the 1980s and 1990s. However, mismanagement, competition from synthetic alternatives, and declining farmer incentives led to a sharp drop in production. The PPCK, which once played a central role in the industry, has struggled to maintain its former prominence.
President Ruto’s administration has prioritized agricultural revitalization, and Samboja’s appointment aligns with efforts to restore Kenya’s pyrethrum sector. The three-year term gives him an opportunity to implement reforms, boost farmer engagement, and explore new markets for the crop’s byproducts, which are in demand due to growing global interest in organic pesticides.
Samboja’s immediate tasks will include improving processing efficiency, ensuring fair pricing for farmers, and expanding international partnerships. His media background may also aid in marketing Kenyan pyrethrum more effectively.
The move has been welcomed by agricultural stakeholders, who see it as a step toward reclaiming Kenya’s position in the global pyrethrum market. If successful, the revival could create jobs, increase exports, and support small-scale farmers in pyrethrum-growing regions.
As Samboja takes office, all eyes will be on his ability to translate his leadership experience into tangible results for a sector in dire need of rejuvenation.
