The Homa Bay government is drafting a master plan for establishing industries at Riwa Special Economic Zone in Karachuonyo constituency.
The plan is being developed after a topographic survey was conducted to enable the government to map out and identify areas where factories will be established.
The county government is working with, among other agencies, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), the Special Economic Zone Authority (Seza), the National Land Commission (NLC) and the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) in drafting the plan.
The 532-acre industrial park will have various companies operating from the same area.
On Monday, Governor Gladys Wanga and officials from different government agencies, toured the site.
Wanga said completion of Riwa Special Economic Zone will make Homa Bay the first county in the lake region to establish an industrial park.
“Homa Bay is strategic in collaborations it makes. We’re formalising the boundaries between custom and non-custom areas within the industrial zone,” she said.
Wanga said her administration had put in place plans to develop the economic zone to attract investors.
There are ongoing infrastructure improvements and utility enhancements in the area.
“The department of roads will ensure we improve roads to the park as will be indicated in the master plan,” Wanga said.
During the topographic survey, a technical team comprising officials from NLC, Nema and the county government identified locations for each company.
The Kenya Investment Authority is providing advisory on the plan.
The location areas are customs, industrial, residential and hospitality, where each investor will establish a branch.
Businesses setting up at the industrial zone will enjoy preferential treatments, including lower taxes.
The Kenya Shipyard Limited, Rift Valley Products, Victory Farms and Made in Thurwa, are some of the investors expected to establish their factories in Riwa.
“The county government has provided land for the investors at no cost. We want to attract more investors to help us transform our county economically,” the governor said.
Wanga said her administration is keen on looking for job opportunities for residents.
Trade executive Polycarp Okombo said they are in the final stages of coming up with a master plan before investors start setting up their factories.
He said Victory Farms was the first company to move into the economic zone.
“Once the master plan is done, we will be ready to move. Homa Bay is ready for real investment to improve the county’s economy,” Okombo said.
He said NYS personnel will construct dykes to control floods and the work should end in three weeks before companies move in.
Made in Thurwa director Akinyi Odongo said her company is involved in the cotton value chain.