18 investors shortlisted to put up factories at Sagana Industrial Park

Waiguru stated that these high-value investors will set up industries dealing in the processing and manufacturing of goods for export, especially agricultural products, leather, and textiles.

Speaking when she hosted Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry Lee Kinyanjui during an inspection tour of the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) projects at the park, the Governor said the county will be advertising for leases of land and warehouses at the park.

“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 Governor added that the SEZ has been gazetted and is awaiting further gazettement as a customs-controlled zone.

“The zone comprises County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), assorted industries, a four-star hotel, and a 9-hole golf course,” the Governor noted.

The Sagana Industrial Park spans 242 acres of land and incorporates an affordable housing project.

Waiguru said the construction of six warehouses and two cold storage warehouses is 60% complete and is expected to be finished by the end of March this year. The CAIP contract amount is Ksh. 499.9 million, co-shared between the national and county governments.

“So far, the county has paid Ksh. 184 million, while the national government has contributed Ksh. 133 million,” she said.

She emphasized that the industrial park is a transformational project that will directly employ more than 10,000 people and benefit thousands of farmers who will supply raw materials for processing and export.

Supportive industries such as banking, logistics, customs, ICT, security, farm inputs, hospitality, fire and disaster management, and recreational facilities are also expected to set up at the facility.

“The park brings life to our county’s Mountain Cities 2032 Blueprint, which designates Ndia Constituency as the Industrial City of Kirinyaga. We reaffirm our commitment to intergovernmental collaboration for the successful implementation of this project,” Waiguru said.

To fully optimize Sagana Industrial City, Waiguru urged the national government to fast-track the tarmacking of the NCPB-Karima road, the main access road to the industrial park, and the establishment of a power substation, as well as the construction of a water and sewer system for the entire Sagana town.

On his part, CS Kinyanjui expressed satisfaction with the progress made toward the completion of the project but asked the contractor of the EPZ project to speed up work to meet the May deadline for the launch.

“We are here to assess the progress of the development of Sagana Industrial Park. We are impressed with the work Governor Waiguru is doing here,” he said.

The CS stated that rural counties like Kirinyaga are the next frontier for investment, adding that the park will help the country produce more and reduce dependence on food from outside.

Kinyanjui urged the local community to support the government as it implements development projects instead of lamenting.

“Too much fighting cannot produce anything. Kirinyaga, along with other counties that are doing the CAIPs, will provide the momentum. Sometimes when a vision is crafted, not everyone can see it, but the few who can see it now are the first ones to benefit,” he said.

The CS also mentioned that Kenya has signed several trade agreements with foreign countries like the US, China, and the United Arab Emirates, but the country has only been able to satisfy 20% of the market.