By Boniface Mulu

Kitui –The Kitui County government has officially postponed the Kitui Agricultural Show, Trade and Investment Expo (KASTIE) 2026, rescheduling it from September 24–26, 2026, to March 11–13, 2027.

The decision, announced through a joint press statement by County Agriculture and Livestock Minister Dr. Stephen Mbaya Kimwele and Trade Minister Rose Mawia Mutuku, was attributed to delays in the approval and processing of the County Government’s budget for the Financial Year 2026/2027, affecting timelines for securing logistical support and procuring essential goods and services.

The postponement is a significant setback for Kitui’s agricultural sector, which remains the county’s economic backbone. The county has a population of approximately 1.1 million people and is categorised as an arid and semi-arid region characterised by unreliable rainfall. Agriculture plays a critical role in the county’s economy, with over 235,000 farmers having been profiled for data-driven planning and more than 41,000 bags of fertiliser distributed under national programmes.

Despite the challenges, Kitui’s agricultural sector has shown resilience and potential. Farmers in the county are making up to Sh4,000 daily from watermelon farming, with an acre of watermelon earning up to Sh400,000 in a good season. Value addition initiatives have also improved livelihoods, with over 800 mango farmers benefiting from processing projects that have reduced post-harvest losses from 60% to 20%.

The expo is intended to provide a platform to showcase Kitui’s agricultural, trade and investment opportunities, attract investors and open markets for local businesses and farmers. The delay, however, reflects broader challenges affecting county administrations. As of August 10, 2026, only nine of 47 county budgets had been approved by the Controller of Budget, with Kitui among 14 counties yet to submit budgets for clearance. More than 35 counties are facing salary crises amid blame games over delayed budget approvals.

“This has adversely affected timelines for securing critical logistics support and the procurement of goods and services essential for the effective hosting of the event,” the ministers said in the statement. “The postponement will provide the county government with adequate time to complete the necessary financial processes and to make the necessary related arrangements.”

The county government has Ksh41.2 million allocated for shows and exhibitions in the 2025/2026 budget, with Ksh12.148 million spent settling pending bills and Ksh8.762 million related to claims arising from mobilisation and engagement of partners, sponsors, investors, development partners and diplomatic missions in preparation for KASTIE 2026 .

Stakeholders have been encouraged to continue preparations for the March 2027 event. “The County Government of Kitui appreciates the encouraging work and efforts by all stakeholders to make the Kitui Agricultural Show, Trade and Investment Expo a success,” the ministers said. “The County remains committed to working closely with all partners and relevant institutions to deliver a well-organised and impactful Expo.”