Trade and Investment Cabinet Secretary (CS) Lee Kinyanjui has announced that the Sagana Special economic zones and aggregation centers will be operational by May this year.
The zone which consists of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) is being developed by both national and county governments.
During his assessment tour at site, Kinyanjui put the contractor on notice that the timeline should be met without failure ahead of the president’s official opening in May.
The progress which is at 75% has some challenges but CS promised to sort out the problems so that the contractor can deliver the project.
“We are here to assess the progress of the development of Sagana Industrial Park, we are impressed with the work the governor is doing here,” he said.
Kinyanjui revealed that already some investors have book spaces in the economic zones which is very positive in the rural county, noting that history shows the majority consider cities to invest. This will give opportunity to local investors to export their product to foreign markets directly.
He called for more investments so as to create more job opportunities for the youth.
He added the market price of value-added products cost almost five times raw produce hence the government is doing everything to ensure the business especially in value addition thrive.
Kinyanjui informed the investors and Kirinyaga people of existence of huge market in the international market of agricultural products demanding for huge local production.
He congratulated the county government of Kirinyaga for the fast construction of the CAIP, which will be completed at the same time with EPZ, calling for other counties to benchmark from Kirinyaga.
He used the opportunity to call on the political leadership to desist from negative politics, saying too much politics is an obstacle to regional development.
“Too much fighting cannot produce anything. Kirinyaga among any other counties that are doing the CAIPS will provide the momentum because sometimes when a vision is crafted, not everyone is able to see the vision. But the few who are able to see it now are the first ones to benefit,” he said.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said the special economic zone in Sagana is a transformational project which will change the town into an industrial city.
So far the county has shortlisted 18 investors to set up the factories in the park dealing in the processing and manufacturing of goods for export, especially agricultural, leather and textiles.
“The development of Phase 1 of the EPZ is underway and these prospective investors are now part of our shared vision for an industrialized county that will lead in agro-processing and manufacturing,” she said.
The Sagana Industrial Park sits on 242 acres of land and incorporates an affordable housing project.
Supportive industries such as banking, logistics, customs, ICT, security, farm inputs, hospitality, security, fire and disaster management, and recreational facilities are also expected to be set up at the facility.
By Mutai Kipngetich
