Kiambu County is at an advanced stage of commencing the construction of a County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) at Waruhiu Farm in Githunguri Sub County.
The park will serve as a hub for agricultural processing and manufacturing, providing a link between farmers, industries, and markets.
The County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) project is a collaborative effort between the State Department for Industry and the Council of Governors (COG), which is in line with Kenya’s long-term development blueprint with Vision 2030, which aims at transforming Kenya into an industrialised middle-income country offering a high-quality life for all citizens.
During his tour of the CAIP at Waruhiu Farm, Kiambu CECM for Trade, Industrialization, Tourism, and Investments, Mburu Kangethe, said the commencement of the construction works at the farm marks a huge milestone as the contractor completes clearing and levelling of the project site and embarks on excavation works.
“The County Government of Kiambu will contribute Sh250 million towards the initiative this financial year, a sum that will be matched by the National Government as well,” said Kangethe.
He added that the strategic location of CAIP at Waruhiu Farm will serve as a boon for the farmers and primary producers as it will offer facilities for collection, storage, sorting, and even primary processing and value addition.
“The ripple effect of these developments will not only provide employment opportunities for the youth but also boost exports, thereby strengthening the economy of Kiambu County, “she said.
The CECM further cited that the park will also offer an opportunity for farmers to learn about various aspects of agriculture and agribusiness from different agroprofessionals and companies.
“Over the years, the growth of the manufacturing sector has remained stagnant at around 11 per cent of the GDP over the past ten years,” said Kangethe.
She added, “CAIP promises to grow manufacturing and investments through agro-industries and enhance the productivity of the agricultural sector in a sustainable manner, hence providing a platform where farmers, processors, exporters, research institutions, industrial bodies, and the government can engage in agro-industrial development.”
This comes just a week after the National Government released Sh1.12 billion on Monday, June 13, 2024, meant for 17 counties currently implementing the CAIP projects under phase one of the programme.
Kiambu County was among the 17, while others included Migori, Mombasa, Busia, Meru, Bungoma, Kirinyaga, Homa Bay, Machakos, Siaya, Murang’a, Trans Nzoia, Embu, Uasin-Gishu, Nandi, Nakuru, and Garissa.
While releasing the funds, Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the government, through its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), plans to raise the contribution of manufacturing to Kenya’s GDP from the current 7 per cent to 15 per cent by 2027 and to 20 per cent by 2030 while increasing exports from 10 per cent of the GDP to 30 per cent by the year 2025.
By Grace Naishoo
