Trade CS Hon. Moses Kuria and a section of Governors led by the Council of Governors (CoG) Chairperson H.E. Anne Waiguru on Thursday 23rd February 2023, visited Tatu City, Twiga Foods Aggregation Centre and the Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI) on a benchmark tour. The visit sought to provide key insights on the dynamics of setting up industrial parks in the Counties, securing markets for goods and services as well as exploiting potential value chain opportunities.
Speaking during a consultative meeting between the Office of the President, Council of Governors, and the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry held at Statehouse after the tour, H.E. President William Ruto affirmed the commitment of the National Government to work in collaboration with County Governments to promote investment and trade in both domestic and international markets to spur socio-economic growth.
The President further noted that County Governments play an integral role in industrial park development especially in identification and allocation of suitable land, securing financing, and provision of necessary infrastructure such as roads, electricity, water, and sewage. In addition, Counties play a critical role in facilitating market links by connecting the park's businesses with suppliers, customers, and other stakeholders.
“As the National Government, we pledge to give every County 100 million shillings to enable each County Government to construct an industrial park and aggregation center which will ensure value addition of all our farm produce before getting goods into the market,” added President William Ruto.
The CoG Chair H.E. Anne Waiguru indicated that Tatu City and other industrial parks are critical enablers of increased investments in Counties as well as the growth of local economies.
“I am confident that our study visit today will give us valuable insights into the potential of partnership in development of aggregation centers. This will reduce post-harvest losses, ensure better distribution of quality products and create more job opportunities at the County Level,” added H.E. Anne Waiguru during a visit at the Twiga Foods Aggregation Centre.
In the same breadth, CS Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry Hon. Moses kuria noted that Tatu City is one of the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) that are transforming this country by providing access and opportunity to our local farmers and investors.
“Industrial parks have the capacity to provide significant economic benefits to the Counties by increasing tax revenues and productivity. Tatu City is a good model of how County Governments can set up mixed-use industrial parks as Special Economic Zones,” said Hon. Moses Kuria.
Giving her remarks the CoG Trade, Industry, Manufacturing and Enterprise Development Committee Chairperson H.E. Wavinya Ndeti highlighted that Counties have the potential to bridge the youth unemployment gap through industrialization.
“I look forward to increased capacity of the County Governments to establish and develop profitable industrial enterprises. This will be achieved through providing a conducive environment for investors, exploring partnership with the private sector, building sufficient and reliable infrastructure as well as enhancing value addition and agro processing,” added H.E. Wavinya Ndeti.

At the end of the Statehouse meeting, it was agreed that the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry and the CoG Trade, Industry, Manufacturing and Enterprise Development Committee will: establish an intergovernmental forum to strengthen concerted efforts between the two levels of Government and address emerging issues in the sector; work together to review the policies and legislations in the sector to support devolution; work together to address the cost of doing business in the country which includes harmonization of multiplicity of taxes, levies, fees and charges and; develop the minimum requirements for County Governments to access the Ksh. 100 Million allocated for establishment of Industrial Parks and aggregate centers among others.