The national government is spearheading an ambitious industrialization initiative aimed at promoting trade, generating employment, and reducing poverty across the counties.
Investments, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary (CS) Salim Mvurya has announced the launch of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) project, which seeks to enhance manufacturing and investments through agro-industries, thereby improving living standards in all 47 counties.
CS Mvurya emphasized that industrialization is a pivotal component of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on inclusive growth by empowering local communities, creating job opportunities, and enhancing value addition across the country’s value chain. He noted that industrialization is central to the country’s economic transformation and diversification efforts.
“Our ministry is committed to driving economic growth and industrialization in the country. The industrial parks will create jobs and attract both public and private investments into the counties, serving as the cornerstone of efforts to transform local economies,” said Mvurya. He added that the primary goal of CAIP is to boost trade and industrialize the counties, with manufacturing playing a major role.
Mvurya also highlighted the ministry’s active role in promoting, facilitating, and incentivizing investment in the manufacturing sector, while providing a stable macroeconomic environment. He made these remarks during discussions with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Representative Tally Einav and Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani at the Kwale County Headquarters.
UNIDO, a specialized agency of the United Nations headquartered in Vienna, Austria, promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization, and environmental sustainability. Since joining UNIDO in 1981, Kenya has engaged in over 100 projects addressing various economic sectors, policy, institutional, and enterprise challenges.
During the discussions, Mvurya and Einav deliberated on the program for county partnership, an innovative initiative aimed at accelerating inclusive and sustainable industrial development in developing countries. Mvurya stated that by leveraging this partnership, his ministry aims to integrate the CAIP initiative to enhance local production capacity, create jobs, and facilitate access to both domestic and international markets.
“UNIDO’s support will be crucial in providing technical assistance, capacity building, and investment facilitation to ensure the success of the county industrial parks,” said Mvurya. He noted the numerous opportunities for collaboration in sustainable investment, focusing on industrialization, circular economy, and climate resilience, further enhancing the county’s growth trajectory.
Governor Achani highlighted the progress of the Sh. 75 million Kwale County Industrial Park project, which aims to transform the county into an industrial and economic hub. She mentioned that significant progress has been made in identifying unique value chains like seaweed farming, food processing, and eco-tourism, which have the potential to boost livelihoods and stimulate economic development in the coastal county.
“Our focus is to attract investments that will spur industrial growth and prioritize climate resilience and sustainability for our communities,” said Achani. She added that the county government is committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, such as roads, drainage, and electricity, to support the industrial park’s development.
In conclusion, Achani noted that industrial parks serve as the cornerstone for growth and economic development, attracting businesses that fuel job creation, enhance competitiveness, and foster sustainable business growth.
