Farmers in Machakos County are set to benefit from modern cold storage facilities, structured markets, and improved value addition once the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIPS) at Machakos New Town is completed.
The facility, which is currently 76.5 per cent complete, is expected to address long-standing post-harvest challenges that have resulted in farmers losing produce and earning low returns due to limited storage and market access.
Located in Mua Ward, the Machakos CAIPS will serve as a central hub where farmers and producers can aggregate, process, and add value to their agricultural products before connecting them to local and international markets.
The progress of the project was highlighted by Emma Kwamboka, Director of Regional Industrial Development for the Lower Eastern Region, during a site inspection at the facility.
Kwamboka, who hosted the County Implementation Coordination Management Committee (CICMC) and led the tour alongside Machakos County Commissioner Jackson Ole Chuta and his team, said the project is scheduled for completion by September 30, 2026.
“CAIPS is a game changer for our farmers. Instead of watching produce go to waste, farmers will now have cold storage, processing, and direct market linkages under one roof,” Kwamboka said.
She noted that CAIPS is a flagship programme under the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and is being implemented through a partnership between the National Government and the County Government of Machakos.
The project has a total budget of Sh500 million, with both levels of government expected to contribute Sh250 million each.
Kwamboka said the National Government has already fulfilled its contribution, while the county government has remitted Sh126 million towards its share.
According to the project team, key infrastructure works are nearing completion. The cold room and eight warehouses, each measuring 1,000 square metres, are almost complete, while construction of the boundary wall stands at 95 percent.
County Assistant Director for Investment Promotion Tina Kiio said the park will attract agro-processing firms, producers, and aggregators to promote industrial growth and expand market opportunities for farmers.
“CAIPS is meant to support agro-industrial growth through value addition of selected value chains within the county, including fresh produce and pulses targeting both export and domestic markets,” Kiio said.
She added that once operational, the facility will provide essential services such as storage, processing, and aggregation, helping farmers reduce post-harvest losses and improve their bargaining power.
However, the project engineer noted that some works are still pending, including civil works, access roads, footpaths, parking areas, and mechanical and electrical installations.
The engineer said completion of the remaining components will depend on the county government disbursing the outstanding balance of its contribution.
Machakos County Commissioner Jackson Ole Chuta said the site visit was part of government efforts to monitor ongoing and stalled projects and identify challenges affecting timely completion.
“The aim of the site visit is to follow up on incomplete government projects, establish the challenges experienced, and find solutions so that the project can be completed on time to serve residents,” Ole Chuta said.
He said the facility is expected to create employment opportunities, support local enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of Machakos products in local and international markets.
County officials said completing CAIPS within the planned timeline will unlock new opportunities for farmers, promote agro-processing, and strengthen value addition across Machakos County and the wider Lower Eastern region.
By Anne Kangero
