Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru has urged investors to take advantage of the conducive business environment provided by her administration to invest in the county.
With the good infrastructure, modernisation of towns and business friendly policies, the governor said the county is the new frontier for investment.
“We urge investors to put up businesses in Kirinyaga because we have put in place measures that make it possible for businesses to thrive. We have an adequate supply of raw materials for value addition in the agrobased industries,” Waiguru said.
Her administration has established measures to boost agricultural production, she added.
Speaking during the opening of NCBA Kerugoya Branch, the governor said Kirinyaga is poised to become the biggest investment hub in the region.
She cited the Wezesha Kirinyaga programme which has supported farmers across all value chains to boost their production and the ongoing development of Sagana Industrial City and the Exports Processing Zone that have attracted massive investments.
The two projects will grow the manufacturing sector through agro-industries and sustainably enhance productivity in agriculture, increasing farmers’ income and foreign exchange.
“This is an opportunity for NCBA to offer their support to investors willing to participate in the project,” Waiguru said.
Investors in sectors, among them avocado processing, macadamia, milk, rice, coffee, tea and maize flour, have already pitched camp.
“Kirinyaga county is among the smallest counties geographically, but it is also among the wealthiest counties in Kenya. We are a 95 per cent agrarian county and so you should consider opening more branches in other towns in our county.”
She emphasised the critical role financial institutions play in driving local economic growth and empowering communities and expressed her administration’s commitment to fostering partnerships that spur development, create jobs and improve access to essential services for residents.
The opening of NCBA and other financial institutions in Kirinyaga is a testament to the growing economy and opportunities available for investors.
“We are eager to partner with the bank to come up with initiatives aimed at supporting local Small and Medium Enterprises for the growth of our local economy,” the governor said.
NCBA’s Group chairperson James Ndegwa said the institution’s vision mirrors the governor’s work ethics and business acumen of consumer inclusion.
Ndegwa expressed optimism over the bank’s future in the region and highlighted the group’s dedication to fostering financial inclusion as a way of driving socio-economic transformation.
The Kerugoya branch, he said, is the 97th nationwide and is part of the institution’s local expansion drive aimed at taking the business into new sectors and bringing its services closer to customers.
