The construction of the Kirinyaga County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) has received a go-ahead from a multi-agency team paving way for its groundbreaking to be rolled out.

The project got a nod from the National Treasury, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industries (MITI), Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI) and the Council of Governors (COG).

The officials expressed satisfaction with the county’s preparedness to develop the industrial park on a 242-acre land at Sagana with President William Ruto expected to officially launch it later in the year.

“The preparation by the County Government of Kirinyaga is very impressive, we are satisfied they are ready for the roll out, we are here to engage with the County’s stakeholders on how we will walk together to realize the CAIPs project,” said MITI Director of Industries Joseph Mbeva.

Mbeva noted that setting up industrial parks in counties present a new frontier of growing investments and the economy through increased national productivity and sustainable diversification of production.

He added that the government, through CAIPS, will boost industrial ventures in counties to create a new industrial ecosystem that eventually supports the Bottom-Up-Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Anne Waiguru. PHOTO/COURTESY

Speaking separately, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said CAIPs seek to support micro, small and medium enterprises to grow domestic and global trade through diversifying export and value addition.

“This creates a great opportunity to grow jobs along the various value chains, raise incomes and close rural-urban inequality gaps as locals also participate in global supply chain through value addition,” said Waiguru.

She said Kirinyaga has set aside Sh275 million in the 2023-2024 financial year budget to erect the Sagana Industrial Park and this will be complemented by Sh250 million grant from the National Government.