Speaking during the inaugural Elgeyo Marakwet County International Business Summit in Iten town, Rotich said the county would waive all planning approval fees, grant a two-year exemption on business permit charges, provide all-weather roads to investment sites, and supply solar-powered boreholes for operations.
Investors will also benefit from liaison support with relevant national government institutions to fast-track permit approvals.
“We will also ensure space provision at the 100-acre industrial park, which is in the final stages of acquisition by the National Land Commission,” Rotich added.
The governor emphasised that investors must source raw materials locally, empowering cooperatives and farmers, and hire local youth with relevant skills.
The county will also support farmers with extension services and training to strengthen supply chains.
The summit attracted over 150 local and international exhibitors and was graced by Treasury PS Dr Chris Kiptoo.
Rotich described the event as the start of a new economic journey for the county, positioning it as a competitive, innovative, and investment-friendly destination in Kenya.
“Elgeyo Marakwet is blessed with incredible resources and three distinct ecological zones — the highlands, hanging valley, and Kerio Valley — which provide rich agricultural land, breathtaking landscapes, unmatched athletic talent, and a strategic location along the Rift Valley economic corridor,” Rotich said.
The governor added that his administration is committed to an inclusive, sustainable, and future-ready economy.
The summit aligns with the county’s strategic vision to advance agribusiness, value addition, tourism, ICT, youth innovation, and infrastructural development, creating opportunities for local businesses, SMEs, and start-ups to expand markets and forge essential connections.
Rotich urged residents to invest in agricultural value chains to enhance food security, emphasizing that the county is moving from subsistence agriculture toward commercial agribusiness and broader economic transformation.
