- The government has said this is in line with the bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
- Each CAIP will have a minimum of four manufacturing sheds of 4,000 square metres
Image: FILE
Construction of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) in counties is now set to commence soon after the government initiated the process by inviting bidders.
In an advert, the national government through the Ministry of Trade in partnership with the Council of Governors called on interested contractors to submit their bids for the construction in 25 counties.
The bids to be submitted by July 21 are to be accompanied by a Sh9 million guarantee in the form of a bid bond, the notice reads.
“This is a farmer-centric and export-oriented approach to ensure small scale farmers and producers contribute to the aggregation, marketing, and export of produce from across the country...it is in line with the bottom-up economic transformation agenda,” it further reads.
The construction of CAIPs, it states, are aimed at ensuring an all-inclusive, job-creating economic model that invests in Kenya's rich agro resources.
Each CAIP will have a minimum of four manufacturing sheds of 4,000 square metres, thus devolving manufacturing capacity to each of the 47 counties.
They are to be located within the proximity to production areas to serve farmers and primary producers through collection, storage and sorting and even primary processing and value addition.
There will also be an aggregation centre of 4,000 square metres which will have a cold storage facility to prevent post-harvest losses.
During the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations in Embu, President William Ruto announced that the parks to be set up in each of the counties will enhance Kenya's productivity.
Ruto said his administration is prioritising the consolidation, processing, and value addition of agricultural products.
“The government has stepped up the establishment of five additional export zones in the coming financial year in Sagana, Thika, Njoro, Eldoret, and Busia to complement the one in Athi River,” he said.
"This is being achieved through the establishment of county aggregation and industrial parks in all the countries."
Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has said the construction will be done in two phases with the first one being done on a first come first served basis.
He said counties that will have their allocations in place on time will be given priority.
Each of the parks is to be constructed for Sh500 million.
Counties targeted in the first phase are Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, Isiolo, Kajiado, Kericho, Kilifi,Baringo, Kisumu, Wajir, Samburu, Nyeri, Nyandarua and Kisii.
Others are Kitui, Laikipia, Lamu, Machakos, Mandera, Narok, Nyandarua, Taita Taveta, Tharaka Nithi, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga, and Wajir.