Construction of Murang’a Export Processing Zone gets underway

The government has released Sh495 million for the construction of the Kabati (Mitubili - Gatanga) Export Processing Zone in Murang’a County.

Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya affirmed that the 500-acre piece of land will enhance investment opportunities for value chain players in agro-processing and pharmaceuticals among other sectors.

“We project that the first phase of that construction to have been completed by November this year,” Mvurya said while laying the foundation stone for the EPZ.

The CS said the first phase will generate 3,000 direct jobs- with priority being given to locals, in line with the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda which aims to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product.

Mvurya noted that local farmers producing macadamia, and avocado, amongst other horticultural products in Murang’a and other neighbouring counties will be able to sell to investors for processing and export.

“The value chains, which are going to be very critical for that project, are already being organised by the Ministry and the County Government of Murang’a,” he stated.

Murang’a County Government hailed the government’s initiative to empower the community and called on the locals to ready their produce ahead of the completion of the factories.

“It would be the largest factory zone once completed. It will industrialise Murang’a and stir up our economy robustly,” Murang’a governor Irung’u Kang’ata said.

To further support economic empowerment in the region, Mvurya issued a Sh300 million cheque to Amica Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCO) in Murang’a town.

The funds, administered by the ministry, through the Kenya Development Authority (KDC), are part of the SAFER Project funded through the World Bank.

The project seeks to provide financial support to Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises to recover, expand and sustain their operations.

Mvurya urged MSMEs to tap into the funding module, offered by KDC, to enable businesses to generate jobs, support families and drive local economic growth.

“We have about 7.5 million Kenyans in MSMEs sectors, and their challenge is mainly access to affordable credit,” he stated.

Investment Promotion Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan, Gatanga MP Edward Wakili, Nominated MP Sabina Chege and the local leadership led by MCAs witnessed the occasion.