Kitui governor Julius Malombe speaking during the Tuesday stakeholder breakfast meeting at Nairobi/Musembi Nzengu.
Kitui governor Julius Malombe with Principal Secretary, State Department for Industry, Dr Juma Mukhwana and Harry Kimtai, the PS for the state department of mining, during the Tuesday stakeholder breakfast meeting at Nairobi/Musembi Nzengu.
Kitui County is stepping up efforts to attract new industries and investments in a bid to create jobs, unlock its natural resources and accelerate economic growth.
As part of the drive, Governor Julius Malombe's administration has launched an aggressive campaign to attract both local and international investors to establish industries, factories and businesses across the county.
He spoke during a stakeholders' investment breakfast meeting at a Nairobi hotel on Tuesday.
Governor Malombe showcased Kitui's investment potential, urging industrialists and business leaders to explore opportunities in mining, agriculture, manufacturing and tourism.
The forum was attended by Principal Secretaries Harry Kimtai (Mining) and Dr Juma Mukhwana (Industry).
Malombe also invited investors to attend the Kitui Agricultural Show Trade and Investment Expo, scheduled for the second half of September, to experience first-hand the county's investment opportunities.
The governor said Kitui is richly endowed with mineral resources, agricultural potential and tourism attractions whose value chains remain largely untapped, presenting lucrative opportunities for investors.
"Based on its resource endowments, Kitui county envisions becoming a leading manufacturing and industrial hub," he said.
Malombe said the county has substantial mineral deposits across its various regions, including an estimated 400 million tonnes of coal in the Mui Basin, which covers approximately 490 square kilometres.
He added that significant limestone and marble deposits are found in Tseikuru, Kyuso, Mumoni, Mutomo, Ikutha and Kanziko, with the Ngaaie area in Kyuso alone estimated to hold about 236 million tonnes of limestone reserves.
The governor further highlighted commercially viable deposits of magnesite, copper, iron ore, dolomite and manganese across the county.
"Kitui county is also endowed with construction minerals such as sand and graphite, which are suitable for infrastructure development, including roads, bridges and buildings," he said.
He added that the county also has valuable gemstones and other precious minerals, including garnets, creating further investment opportunities in the mining sector.
On agriculture, Malombe said Kitui's priority value chains include pulses, noting that the county is Kenya's leading producer of green grams.
He said current production stands at 79,435 tonnes against a production potential of 201,224 tonnes.
Kitui is also the country's leading producer of cowpeas, recording an annual output of 50,587 tonnes.
Other high-potential agricultural enterprises include pigeon peas, sorghum, livestock and livestock products, honey, cotton and oilseed crops.
The governor also highlighted the county's tourism potential, pointing to attractions such as the South Kitui National Reserve, Mwingi National Reserve and the section of Tsavo East National Park located within Kitui county, which accounts for about 46 per cent of the park.
Other attractions include Kanyonyoo Wildlife Conservancy, Nzambani Rock, Ulonzo Hill, Ikoo Valley, the Mumoni and Mutito Important Bird Area and the county's diverse scenic landscapes.
Seeking to reassure prospective investors on accessibility, Malombe said Kitui town is well connected to Nairobi.
He said the town is approximately 172 kilometres from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport via the Thika Superhighway, a journey of about three hours, or about 164 kilometres through Machakos, which takes roughly two and a half hours.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Kitui's investment campaign reflects growing competition among counties to attract private capital and diversify local economies beyond traditional agriculture. By promoting its mineral deposits, agricultural value chains and tourism assets, the county hopes to stimulate industrial growth, create employment and increase local revenue. However, translating natural resource potential into tangible economic benefits will depend on sustained investor confidence, supportive infrastructure and value addition within the county rather than exporting raw materials. The planned investment expo offers an opportunity to connect investors with local opportunities, but long-term success will ultimately be measured by the number of industries established, jobs created and livelihoods improved for Kitui residents.
