Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an important fruit in Kenya for fresh consumption and wine making. It can be propagated by budding, seeds, cuttings and tissue culture. Seed propagation is the simplest and cheapest method of propagation and is affected by the factors such as temperature, moisture loss and seed priming. Papaya seeds are classified as recalcitrant therefore loss of moisture through drying has an effect on seed viability. Removal of gelatinous material through washing removes the sarcostetae which causes secondary dormancy. The seeds also have a hard seed coat and a germination inhibitor below them which hinder water absorption thus preventing germination it is with this background that an experiment was conducted in the year 2008 in a greenhouse at Maseno University, Kenya. The studies involved seed extraction using standard methods and a subsequent floatation test to determine seed viability. followed by washing the whole seed to remove the gelatinous material covering it. Washed seeds were divided into six lots, with the first lot washed, second soaked in potassium chloride solution(KCL), third soaked in potassium hydroxide solution(KOH)., fourth soaked in potassium nitrate solution,(KNO3) fifth soaked in potassium sulphate(K2SO4) and sixth soaked in wood ash solution(K20) These were therefore the treatments which were randomized in a completely randomized design. The seeds were planted in plastic pots, placed in a greenhouse and watered twice daily. Data was collected on the number of seedlings emerging per pot, root length, leaf number, leaf area, stem diameter and plant height which were taken weekly. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) where analysis's of variance and mean separation done using the Least Significant Difference (L.S.D) at five percent probability. The results showed that priming with potassium solutions improve seedling germination capacity and subsequent seedling growth .It is therefore concluded that papaya seeds should be primed with potassium solution after washing.