Government fast-tracks construction of Sh4.7bn industrial parks across 19 counties
Kindiki noted that the first cohort of 19 parks is at an advanced stage of construction, while the second cohort is also making headway.
Counties will have at least one County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) as part of a national effort to boost manufacturing and agriculture.
The National and county governments are progressing with the construction of 19 CAIPs, with a second cohort of 16 underway. The initiative aims to drive economic growth through value addition and stakeholder mobilisation, including investors.
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Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, during a recent update meeting with governors, led by the Council of Governors' chairperson, Ahmed Abdullahi, highlighted the significant progress being made on the CAIPs.
He noted that the first cohort of 19 parks is at an advanced stage of construction, while the second cohort is also making headway.
"Besides the physical infrastructure, production and marketing of the products to be aggregated for value addition requires planning, alignment and mobilisation of stakeholders, including the investors," Kindiki said, stressing the importance of strategic coordination in the project's success.
He reiterated that the National Government will continue to work hand-in-hand with county governments to establish the CAIPs in all 47 counties, which will support the growth of the country’s manufacturing sector through agro-industries.
These parks will also enhance the competitiveness of the agricultural sector, ensuring sustainable development.
The first phase of the CAIPs project has been allocated Sh4.7 billion, with Sh4.5 billion designated for the establishment of the parks and Sh200 million for project coordination, monitoring, and county support.
The counties involved in the first phase include Busia, Bungoma, Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Migori, Homa Bay, Siaya, Kwale, Nyamira, Meru, Garissa, Mombasa, Machakos, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Murang’a, and Embu.
Kindiki pointed out that the initiative aligns with the Kenya Kwanza Administration's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which focuses on manufacturing as a key pillar for driving economic growth in the country.
In addition to the CAIPs, Kindiki also chaired a review meeting on the status of the ongoing construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) across the country, including Dongo Kundu (Mombasa), Samburu (Kwale), Naivasha, and Njoro (Nakuru).
He revealed that the construction of four SEZs/EPZs in Kirinyaga, Murang'a, Eldoret, and Busia is currently 50 per cent complete and is expected to be finished by June 30, 2025.
The government, he said, is also expediting the provision of critical infrastructure, including access roads, water, electricity, and ICT facilities.
Additionally, the DP highlighted that efforts are underway to identify lead investors for these zones to ensure they are operational as soon as construction is completed.
“The government is expediting the provision of access roads, water, electricity, and ICT facilities and the identification of lead investors to ensure the operationalisation of the four SEZs/EPZs immediately after construction ends,” Kindiki said, emphasising the government's commitment to facilitating the zones' smooth transition into operation.
