Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has called on counties across Kenya to leverage their distinct resources and invest strategically in local value chains to help revive and grow the country’s manufacturing sector.

She highlighted that manufacturing, which is currently the second-largest employer after the public service, holds significant potential for job creation and economic transformation if given the right focus.

Governor Waiguru made these remarks while addressing delegates at the inaugural Murang’a Investment Conference held in Thika.

She underscored the importance of county governments, the national government, and private sector players working in unison to strengthen the manufacturing industry.

According to her, “If we want this number to grow, we must remain focused. When I was at the Treasury during the Vision 2030 rollout, we had set a target for manufacturing to contribute 15 percent to GDP. Around 2010 or 2011, we reached about 10 per cent, but since then, the contribution has declined. Today, manufacturing contributes only about 7.6 per cent to GDP. That shows just how much room there is for growth.”

Waiguru explained that no nation can achieve true industrialisation without a vibrant manufacturing sector.

She pointed out that the ripple effects of industrial growth extend to areas such as accommodation, food, logistics, and other related services.

“It is still possible to reach our target. Public service employs about 500,000 people, while the manufacturing sector employs approximately 370,000 to 400,000 people, depending on the data, which might vary slightly,” she said.

Drawing attention to the varied opportunities available across the country, Waiguru urged counties to tap into their specific advantages to attract manufacturers.

She said counties possess unique investment opportunities that, if properly exploited, could spur the growth of industries and bolster Kenya’s economy.

Waiguru commended Murang’a for innovative governance approaches, particularly noting the establishment of a Budget and Economic Council by Governor Irungu Kang’ata.

She remarked, “One of the lessons I have picked today from Murang’a is the concept of a Budget and Economic Council, bringing on board eminent people from the county to participate in its development, this a powerful idea.”

In illustrating what integrated investments can achieve, Waiguru shared developments from her own county.

“In Kirinyaga, for example, we have a Special Economic Zone, an Export Processing Zone, and were planning a golf course with a four-star hotel. All these contribute to the hospitality and tourism sectors, while the SEZ and EPZ support the manufacturing space. So there is interconnected growth happening,” Waiguru noted.

Turning attention to the Sagana Industrial Park, Waiguru described it as an attractive prospect for investors, citing its access to raw materials for agro-processing, availability of land, proximity to key infrastructure like rail and superhighways, reliable utilities, affordable labour, and investor-friendly policies.

She also acknowledged Murang’a’s proximity to Nairobi and Del Monte as strategic advantages that could drive its industrial ambitions.

Waiguru concluded by encouraging county governments to learn from each other’s successes and innovations. She asserted that turning counties into engines of growth and development was achievable with determination and the right partnerships, noting, as she put it, that it “is not rocket science.”