Garissa set to host Northern Frontier's first industrial park as state releases funding

The Northern Frontier is set for its first industrial park since independence, following the government's release of Sh.125 billion for the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs).

Garissa, one of the counties earmarked for major industrial transformation by President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza government, will host the park that will serve the entire region.

In the 2023–2024 financial year, the two levels of government are implementing CAIPs in Garissa, Migori, Mombasa, Busia, Meru, Bungoma, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay, Machakos, Siaya, Kiambu, Murang'a, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, and Nakuru.

The Sh1.125 billion allocation, officially released on May 9, 2024, is part of phase one and will see each county receive Sh62.5 million.

In a statement on Monday, Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebbeca Miano said that the CAIPs resulted from the realisation that each of Kenya's 47 counties has a competitive edge whose fuller economic dividend can only accrue with a focus on the grassroots.

"The main objective of CAIPs is to grow manufacturing and agro-industrial investments, and enhance the competitiveness of the agriculture sector in a sustainable manner," said Miano.

She added that the focus is creating inclusive and decent jobs, promoting productivity at the farm level, increasing farmers' income, exports, and foreign exchange, and ultimately growing the economy by providing a platform for stakeholder engagement in promoting industrialisation in the country.

Growing manufacturing through agro-industries and enhancing competitiveness in the agriculture sector would lead to the creation of jobs, increased income for farmers, the earning of additional foreign exchange, and the promotion of new products, she explained.

Miano said they were also targeting the reduction of post-harvest losses and the provision of a reliable platform for farmers, processors, exporters, researchers, industrial entities, and the government to engage in agro-industrial development.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama earlier said the project would help the county process trademark products such as camel milk powder and animal skin, improving the region's economy and livelihoods.

"I am looking forward to the uptake of this project by the investors whom we welcome so much in Garissa so that we can make this project a reality for the benefit of the people, not only in terms of job creation but also value addition so that we move ahead with our development agenda," Jama said.

"I am particularly happy because, in my campaign manifesto, I had a whole section talking about industrialisation for Garissa County. When this initiative was announced, I was probably the first governor from the region to embrace and run with it."

He called on contractors to speedily complete the project as they have the full support of the county and national governments.