Murang’a county government has encouraged investors to take advantage of listed incentives and establish manufacturing industries and businesses on its land allocated for an industrial park.
During the 1st Murang’a investment conference on Friday, Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the county has set aside 1,300 acres of land to establish an industrial park whose siting is strategically located considering its proximity to Nairobi.
Kang’ata said the land located along Kenol-Thika Highway has been divided to host an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
“The EPZ has been allocated 500 acres, while the SEZ has 800 acres. The SEZ will host a Murang’a Medcity, light, medium and heavy industries, a technology and innovation hub, a commercial hub and a market, among others,” Kang’ata told the first-day participants of the conference held in a Murang’a hotel.
The governor added that the EPZ portion was allocated to the national government’s EZP authority through a gazette notice.
“The land is managed by EPZ authority; however, as per negotiations undertaken before the transfer of the land to the authority, the county has leverage over 10 per cent of the land,” he added.
“Those who wish to invest in the EPZ will get a 10 years’ corporate tax holiday, a 10 years withholding tax holiday, a 100 per cent investment deduction on new investment and operation under one license issued by EPZA among others,” the governor said.
Kang’ata further said that the investors in the SEZ would benefit with 10 per cent of the first 10 years after the start of operation on corporate tax.
Other benefits will include zero-rated tax on the supply of goods, stamp duty exemption from executing documents, exemption from payment of withholding taxes on royalties, among others,” he noted.
The governor further said the county has also allocated 29 acres of land near the Kabati area for the establishment of a county aggregation and industrial park.
“The aggregation park will host manufacturing industries for farm produce with a target to increase export of processed agricultural products,” He remarked.
Kang’ata underscored the aim of making Murang’a an industrial county, saying this would boost wealth not only of the county but also of the country.
He noted that manufacturing has been key in the development of countries, saying once investors establish industries, more job opportunities would be created for thousands of jobless youths.
“Investment in manufacturing will create jobs and technology transfer in Murang’a. Industries in the agro-processing sector are encouraged to consider investing because of the backward linkages created.” Stated Kang’ata.
Meanwhile, the governor said his administration is looking for investors to rehabilitate the Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga shrine and make the centre a tourist site.
“Murang’a also produces huge volumes of milk and we are looking for investors to expand our milk processing facility and start producing animal feeds,” He added.
Speaking during the same occasion, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha called for support from the national government to have counties invest more in industries.
“Manufacturing will be of great help in creating wealth and tackling unemployment in counties. Let’s have structures on how counties can access credit facilities and some incentives to boost industrialisation,” Badilisha said.
Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru called for unity among counties to promote industrialisation.
Waiguru said exporting processed products would not only benefit counties but also local mwananchi, especially those engaged in agriculture.
By Bernard Munyao
