PS Mukhwana: 41 counties lack infrastructure to attract investors as 90pc of manufacturing stays in six

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industrialization, counties hold high and untapped potential that could attract multi-billion shilling investments, creating jobs and boosting revenue.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Cities and Municipalities Forum in Naivasha, Industry Principal Secretary Juma Mukhwana said only Nairobi, Nakuru, Machakos, Kilifi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Kiambu had created the right environment for business, accounting for 90 per cent of manufacturing companies.

Mukhwana said the rest of the counties lack adequate infrastructure, including reliable water sources, power and raw materials needed to drive industrial growth and economic prosperity.

The PS challenged counties to create investor confidence by establishing the right business environment, setting up industrial areas and addressing challenges such as poor sewerage systems, uncollected garbage and dilapidated roads and walkways.

He urged devolved units to harness public-private partnerships to drive investments, noting that the national government had already completed construction of county aggregation and industrial parks.

"Counties need to put up adequate infrastructure in earmarked urban areas and create investor confidence that will in turn attract investments, generate revenue and create jobs for the youths," Mukhwana said.

He added that the government had leveraged PPPs to turn around poorly run entities, and would continue providing the right policies and business environment for industrial growth.

Forum chairman Wanyonyi Buteyo said in coming years, most of Africa would be urbanised, with cities and municipalities becoming focal points for prosperity and industrialisation.

Secretary General of the Cities and Municipalities Forum Antony Macharia called on the national government to establish a national urban fund to support devolved units with infrastructure.

"We are seeking a share of the already operationalised National Infrastructure Fund as a conditional grant that would finance cities and municipalities to be engines of growth and economic development by harnessing investments," Macharia said.