Deputy President Kithure Kindiki now says that the process of completing the first phase of the County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) is well on course.
Speaking after receiving a briefing on the progress, Kindiki said once complete, the CAIPs will grow the country’s manufacturing through Agro-Industries and enhance the competitiveness of the Agriculture sector sustainably.
The first phase covers at least 19 counties at the cost of Sh4.7 billion with a percentage of the sum going to coordination and support.
“The National Government, in partnership with the County Governments and other role players, is making significant progress in the implementation of the first phase of the County Aggregation Industrial Parks (CAIPs).
“19 Counties; Busia, Bungoma, Nakuru, Trans-nzoia, Migori, Homabay, Siaya, Kwale, Nyamira, Meru, Garissa, Mombasa, Machakos, Nandi, Uasin Gishu, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Murang'a and Embu are covered in the first phase that will cost Sh4.7 billion; Sh4.5 billion is meant for establishment of the CAIPs in phase one Counties and Sh200 million for project coordination, monitoring and County support,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President added that the second phase, which will cover 16 counties will start once phase one is complete.
He received the briefing during a consultative forum with the Ministries of Investment, Trade and Industry, Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSMEs) Development and The National Treasury and Economic Planning.
Present during the meeting were Principal Secretaries; Dr. Chris Kiptoo (The National Treasury), Alfred K'Ombudo (Trade), Susan Mang'eni (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development), Teresia Mbaika (Devolution), among other senior government officials.
Manufacturing is one of the key pillars in the Kenya Kwanza Administration's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
It envisions having at least one CAIP in each of the 47 counties in Kenya.
The meeting followed an earlier meeting between the DP and 143 representatives of small-scale business people operating within markets in Nairobi County.
During the meeting, Kindiki and the traders agreed on the interventions of the National Government to supplement what the Nairobi City County Government is doing to support the traders in the Central Business District (CBD).
The representatives were drawn from Wakulima, Gikomba,
Muthurwa and Kariokor markets, Country Bus, Nyamakima, River Road, Railways,
Pumwani Road, Bus Station and OTC.