•Aiming at job creation, the study demonstrates the viability of the IAIP and the suitability of Nyamira as the central location.
•It will benefit Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Vihiga which are in the catchment zone of the park.
Image: KNA
The Ministry of Industrialisation in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation has launched a feasibility report for the first anchor project of the Integrated Agro-Industrial Park in Kenya.
Aiming at job creation, the study demonstrates the viability of the IAIP and the suitability of Nyamira as the central location.
It will benefit Narok, Bomet, Kericho, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Vihiga which are in the catchment zone of the park.
Speaking on behalf of Principal Secretary Kirimi Kaberia, Industrialisation secretary Hezekiah Okeyo said the launched report will create about 51,000 jobs.
Kaberia said the programme will accelerate the Vision 2030 linkage through inclusive industrial development, leaving no one behind.
“Through the project, the farmer will have the capacity to produce while the industry will have to be resilient to the dynamics of the world climate change and therefore, the green industry being one of the components,” he said.
The PS cited inadequate fit-for-purpose infrastructure facilities, limited access to finance for Industrial development, low technology utilisation and low uptake of innovation for commercialisation as some of the challenges the industrialisation sector was facing.
Kaberia said with UNIDO expertise and technical support, opportunities in green industries and innovative industrial parks will help in addressing the challenges.
“We are happy that the role of the manufacturing sector will be realised through this programme because we want to facilitate, promote and walk with them starting from micro, small, medium and large Industries as well as providing linkages among themselves,” he said.
Officer in Charge of UNIDO country office Kawira Bucyana said the report is a timely and very useful analytical tool for building resilience.
She said the programme is designed to leverage additional investment in selected priority sectors.
Kawira said the IAIP supports agro-food processing in the entire region thereby contributing to increased food security, job creation, improved livelihoods and ultimately economic development.
“For the global economy to fully recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, internationally coordinated actions need to be taken and the industrial sector must be central to these efforts,” Kawira said.
She said the Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated that industrialised countries performed better and were more resilient to the Covid shock.
Representing Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO, Head of Policy, Research and Advocacy Job Wanjohi termed the launched report as a great initiative.
“No country can grow without enhancing export intensity. Industrial competitiveness is very important for good production,” Wanjohi said.
The Nyamira IAIP feasibility report is a pilot project under the Kenya self-starter, Programme for Country Partnerships which is UNIDO’s innovative model for accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in member states.
The programme is aligned with the national development agenda and focused on sectors with high growth potential and also supports a country in achieving its industrial development goals.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris