County to partner with private sector

Embu County will partner with private sector to fast track industrialization, County Member in Charge of Trade and Industrialisation, Mr. David Kariuki has said.
Kariuki said during a tour to Cleo Nature Enterprise, an upcoming enterprise dealing with soaps and cosmetics that the partnership with private sector was the fastest way to industrialize the county.
He appreciated the enterprise which is run by young people for setting an example to the youth in the county.
Through such ventures, the youth can come up with viable innovative ideas and succeed instead of waiting for formal employment,” Kariuki said.
The CEC observed that his department was supporting small-scale traders, bigger enterprises and potential traders through provision of training on entrepreneurship and management skills.
“We will continue facilitating the upcoming enterprises and capacity building to help the owners overcome challenges that usually face start up enterprises,” Kariuki observed.
He said from a research done over 50 percent of start-up enterprises do not see the light of day by the end of one year due to challenges that face them.
Kariuki said apart from supporting the enterprises and traders, his department was also focused on value addition of the raw materials produced in Embu.
The CEC said, in coordination with the Kenya Industrial Estate (KIE), Eastern Region office, his department will stimulate industrial technological activities to create employment and eradicate poverty.
Kariuki added that Governor Martin Wambora had signed an Investment and Cooperative Bill to serve as a vehicle for partnering with investors.
“We invite investors in housing and sports among other sectors to invest in the county for the sake of development,” the CEC noted.
Cleo Nature Enterprise which is one year old with 15 staff members, uses coconuts, Aloe Vera, cashew nuts among other raw materials in making their products.
By Kimani Tirus