Kirinyaga County Governor, Anne Waiguru has said that the upcoming Sagana Industrial City will create about 150,000 jobs once completed.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony presided over by President William Ruto, Waiguru said the Industrial City is expected to create at least 30,000 direct jobs and another 120,000 indirect jobs.
She said the project will also benefit thousands of farmers who will supply raw materials for processing and export.
"We lay foundation for what will soon become a thriving industrial hub and a beacon of a brighter and prosperous future for Kirinyaga.
"It is a testament to our commitment towards the realization of shared economic transformation goals that aim at creating new jobs and fostering a climate where businesses can thrive," Waiguru said.
The Kirinyaga Governor added that once complete, supportive industries such as banking, logistics, customs, ICT, security, farm inputs, hospitality, security, fire and disaster management and recreational facilities will also create additional employment avenues.
The industrial city will have an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and affordable housing.
Waiguru thanked the President for granting the county the only Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the central region.
She said more than 46 investors have shown interest in setting up various factories in our industrial city and development of Phase 1 of the EPZ which will host industries dealing in processing and manufacturing of export goods such as textiles and leather is ongoing.
President Ruto who spoke during the groundbreaking ceremony pledged full support to the successful implementation of the industrial city.
He noted that his government has been undertaking negotiations US and European markets for export of the produce that will be processed in the industrial park.
Ruto said that the project will enable farmers to earn more money from value addition, processing and manufacturing and create many jobs for the youth.
He said that the national government will provide Sh500 million towards development of the EPZ and another Sh250 million towards development of a County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP).
Ruto said the county government of Kirinyaga has already invested Sh180 million towards the CAIP project.
Ruto was accompanied by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime affairs) and Salim Mvurya (Investments, Trade and Industries) among other senior government officials.
