Construction of SEZS, EPZs in 4 counties to end mid year-DP Kindiki says
The construction of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in Kirinyaga, Murang’a, Eldoret, and Busia counties will be completed on June 30 this year, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said.
However,. the construction of the SEZs and EPZs has largely stalled.
Speaking yesterday while meeting members of the Council of Governors (CoG) in his office, Kindiki noted that the construction is part of a joint effort by the National Government and County government to establish County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across all 47 counties.
Kindiki revealed that the construction of the first phase of 19 CAIPs is progressing well across the country adding that the second phase involving 16 CAIPs is already underway.
He said investor mobilization, infrastructure, planning, and stakeholder alignment was essential for the effective production and marketing of value-added products in the country.
“Infrastructure, investor mobilization, planning and stakeholder alignment are essential for effective production and marketing of value-added products,” the DP said. He spoke while updating the governors led by Council of Governors Chair Ahmed Abdullahi.
Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and senior officials from both levels of government attended the briefing to evaluate progress and discuss the way forward.
Relevant Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and other senior officials from the two levels of Government were present. The establishment and operationalization of SEZs and EPZs hold the key to Kenya’s industrialisation and job creation objectives.
The Government is expediting the provision of access roads, water, electricity and ICT facilities, and identification of lead investors to ensure Operationalization of the four SEZs/EPZs immediately construction ends.
He also reviewed the status of ongoing construction of SEZs/EPZs and to unlock bottlenecks on the Dongo Kundu (Mombasa), Samburu (Kwale), Naivasha and Njoro (Nakuru) SEZs/EPZs.
