Agricultural and trading activities in Ruiri rwa Reera Ward, Buuri Sub-County, and the entire Meru County are expected to thrive after the official launch of the construction of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) yesterday.
The auspicious occasion was presided over by Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria and Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.
In his address, CS Kuria said the park will play a key role in addressing the issues of poverty and youth unemployment, which are the main hindrances to development facing Kenyan people.
He added that the park would also bring value addition to various agricultural products from the County and as a result increase farmers’ incomes after the elimination of brokers.
“I believe that if we all contribute to the development basket, we will go far as a country, and this is the most effective way to fight poverty,” said Mr. Kuria.
He said the location of the park, about two kilometres from Isiolo International Airport, will enhance trade with the outside world, hence generating more income not only to the County residents but the Country at large.
“We are planning to expand the airport by adding the runway by four kilometres, and we are in talks with some airlines, including those from Arab countries, who will start their journeys here and be able to export agricultural products available in Meru, Isiolo, and Tharaka Nithi Counties,” said Mr. Kuria.
The CS also assured young people that his ministry was working on modalities of providing capital as well as machines to use in the value-added process.
On her side, Governor Mwangaza said the construction of the park was one of the ways of freeing the county from servitude that has bedevilled the region for many years.
She added that the mega project will also go a long way in opening up the remote area to the outside world in terms of development.
She added that the 100 acres on which the project sits are the central place for the county and will distribute development equally to all the corners.
“Our target is to make the entire county happy in terms of sustainable development, and this is one of them,” said Governor Mwangaza.
By Dickson Mwiti
