Laikipia County Government has partnered with Zetech University with the aim to boost Small and Medium-Sized enterprises (SMEs) and production capacity in the region.
Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, speaking to the media at his Nanyuki town office, revealed that the partnership will see county manufacture various type of machines under the innovation program.
“We are continuing to engage partners to promote manufacturing. Zetech has combined manufacturing and business strategy. We want to help innovators scale up their production capacity,” County boss said, adding they have 717 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing businesses under innovation and enterprise program.
Muriithi further noted that the partnership with the University will enable the County to exploit mineral resources in county through manufacturing.
Zetech University Chairman, Engineer Ken Mbiuki, said they are working in bid to ensure residents benefit through their machines making technologies.
“Our key strength is value addition. We have discussed with the County on how we will support the businesses which are engaged in agriculture processing and minerals exploitation,” Eng. Mbiuki revealed. Previously, Muriithi’s Administration had partnered with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology-Nyeri (DeKUT) to offer technical assistance to budding innovators.
“We have partnered with local universities to help our innovators. Besides, Laikipia Innovation Program offers market linkages, funding and help the innovators with business planning,” County Chief Officer, Innovation, Winnie Mwangi, told KNA.
Further, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT) trained 136 County Staff on project management so as to be able to efficiently channel the resources towards the development projects. Manufacturing is one of the President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big Four Agenda.
By Muturi Mwangi
