The Board of Directors of Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA) has appointed Richard Ipero Omelu as the Chief Executive Officer.
In a statement, EPZA said Omelu will commence his role immediately.
He will serve for a renewable five-year term, subject to performance.
Omelu has diverse experience in the private and public sectors.
He is the immediate former Director of Strategy, Planning and MSE Coordination in Micro and Small Enterprises Authority in the State Department for MSME Development, Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development.
Omelu is a Master's Degree graduate in Business Administration - Strategic Management from Moi University.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Commerce (Finance option) from The University of Nairobi.
Omelu is a member of the Institute of Risk Management.
He was instrumental in the development and execution of strategic plans, resource mobilization corporate performance and establishment of risk management frameworks for both The Commodities Fund and Micro and Small Enterprises Authority.
"The Board of Directors is optimistic that Omelu will lead the Authority from its current impressive performance to greater heights," the statement read.
"The EPZA Board, Management and Staff welcome and wish Omelu success as he takes up this great and noble assignment."
The Export Processing Zones Authority is a State Corporation under the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, established in 1990 by the EPZ Act CAP 517, Laws of Kenya.
EPZA’s mandate is to promote and facilitate export-oriented investments and to develop an enabling environment for such investments.
EPZA under the (Export Processing Zone) EPZ programme offers a range of attractive fiscal, physical and procedural incentives to ensure low-cost operations, fast set and smooth operations for export-oriented businesses.
An EPZ is a designated area for industrial and commercial operations that are primarily aimed at exporting goods and services.
By establishing EPZs in different parts of the country, the government aims to attract foreign investment, create employment opportunities, and increase the country's exports.
According to the Export Processing Zones Authority (EPZA), there are currently 10 EPZs in Kenya, located in different parts of the country, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Athi River, and Kisumu.
These zones have attracted a wide range of industries, including textile and garment manufacturing, agro-processing, and horticulture.
