Residents of Meru County have called on the national government to prioritise agriculture and youth empowerment in the 2026/27 Budget, saying the two sectors hold the key to economic growth, job creation and improved livelihoods in the region.
Speaking during a public participation forum on the Budget Estimates organised by the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee (BAC), residents urged lawmakers to channel more resources towards agricultural value chains, youth employment programmes, industrial parks and export infrastructure.
The public engagement exercise, led by Dr. Edwin Mugo, gave residents an opportunity to present their development priorities and proposals ahead of the finalisation of the national budget.
Youth unemployment emerged as one of the dominant concerns during the meeting, with residents warning that the growing number of educated but jobless young people poses a major socio-economic challenge.
Dennis Gitonga from Central Imenti appealed to the government to allocate funds for overseas labour mobility programmes and youth empowerment initiatives to help young people secure employment opportunities abroad and locally.
“We have so many educated youth in Meru without jobs. We need support to go abroad and look for greener pastures,” said Gitonga.
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Residents also pushed for increased investment in ICT hubs, sports academies and vocational empowerment programmes aimed at equipping young people with practical skills and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Agriculture, the backbone of Meru’s economy, featured prominently in the discussions, with participants calling for increased support for farmers, agribusinesses and export-oriented infrastructure.
Henry Muriungi advocated for the construction of the proposed Mitunguu International Airstrip, saying the project would boost trade and ease the export of Miraa and other agricultural produce to regional and international markets.
Residents further proposed increased funding for agricultural value chains, industrial parks and feeder roads to improve market access and reduce post-harvest losses.
According to participants, Meru remains one of Kenya’s leading agricultural economies and among the country’s top contributors to the national revenue basket through taxes generated from farming and trade.
Beyond agriculture and youth issues, residents also highlighted healthcare, roads and security as priority sectors requiring urgent government intervention.
By Juma Ndigo
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