The Murang'a government has received a major boost after Chinese investors pledged to inject Sh20 billion in the planned industrial park in the county.
The park set to be established on 1,300 acres ceded by Del Monte fruits processing company along Thika-Kenol highway is expected to create jobs for more than 10,000 people.
In June this year, the county government held a three-day investors conference in which it invited local and foreign investors, announcing an array of incentives aimed at luring them to invest in the park.
The conference preceded a week-long visit by a team of county officials to China in which meetings were held with Chinese investors.
“There will be a one-stop-shop service for facilitation and aftercare, and rapid project approval and licensing,” Governor Irungu Kang’ata told investors.
The county has set aside 800 acres for the park out of which 75 acres have been allocated for Murang’a MediCity, an area set aside for medical and non-medical industries, and 276 acres for light, medium and heavy industries.
Another 23 acres will host a technology and innovation hub, while 43 acres will be for a commercial hub, 10 acres for a stadium and 57 acres for a recreational area.
The park will also have a market that will occupy two acres, a bus station on three acres, schools on 16 acres, housing on 12 acres while affordable housing will get 22 acres.
Other public amenities such as roads, sewer, water, internet and power will cover 134 acres. The remainder of the land will go to national and county government institutions.
Jieyundianqi company that manufactures electric transformers and solar panels asked the county for 50 acres to set up a plant.
If successful, the Sh6.4 billion plant will employ 1,000 people, significantly boosting the local economy.
Wang Xiangzhen, an investor, pledged to have the structures of the plant established in three months after the land is availed.
“The structures fronted by the county government as per the agreement will be ready for utilisation by businesspersons,” Wang said, as road construction companies also expressed interest in the park.
Zhang Qingwei, deputy director general of Shandong Provincial Department of Commerce, an eastern Chinese province, said China and Kenya have enjoyed a cordial relationship for years.
She said the country imports tea, avocado, coffee and macadamia nuts, among other products, that are consumed by its more than 1.4 billion people.
In August, Kenya entered into a deal with China to have all tariffs removed on tea, coffee, avocado and other agricultural exports.
Kang'ata termed the Chinese tour fruitful, noting that construction companies, agro-processors and experts in green energy were among the partners who have registered their willingness to invest in the industrial park.
Murang'a leaders led by governor Irungu Kang'ata meet Chinese Investors in China mid last month The governor said his county will benefit from China’s innovations and principles that have seen the Asian country move into the first world, with top notch technology utilised in all sectors.
“This partnership will spur growth and development in our country and will be instrumental in creation of jobs for our youth,” Kang'ata said.
He was accompanied by MCAs Steve Muigai (Kakuzi), Simon Wamwea (Ng'araria), Edwin Wairagu (Gitugi) and Sharleen Wambui (nominated).
Others included telemedicine expert Joseph Njoroge and legal adviser Charles Njenga. The delegation visited numerous agricultural machinery, dairy, vehicle assembly, housing, road construction and electric equipment factories.
Muigai underscored the importance of taking such visits to expose leaders to the best investments that help uplift people’s lives.
Wamwea welcomed the investors to the county saying the partnership will be beneficial to both countries.
Earlier this week, the country announced applications for investment opportunities, especially for manufacturers who will set base at the industrial park after vetting.
Instant Analysis
The county industrial park set to be established on 1,300 acres ceded by Del Monte fruits processing company along Thika-Kenol highway is expected to create jobs for more than 10,000 people.
In June this year, the county government held a three-day investors conference in which it invited local and foreign investors, announcing an array of incentives aimed at luring them to invest in the park.
The county has set aside 800 acres for the park out of which 75 acres have been allocated for Murang’a MediCity, an area set aside for medical and nonmedical industries, and 276 acres for light, medium and heavy industries.
