‘Sagana Industrial City will provide 150,000 jobs’ – Waiguru
By Francis Muli, August 10, 2024The Sagana Industrial City is expected to create about 150,000 jobs once completed, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has said.
According to Waiguru, the industrial city will give direct jobs to around 30,000 Kenyans and another 120,000 indirect jobs.
Speaking during the project’s groundbreaking ceremony presided over by President William Ruto, Waiguru also noted that the project will benefit farmers who will supply their raw materials for processing and export.
“As we gather to break the ground for Sagana Industrial City, we lay the foundation for what will soon become a thriving industrial hub and a beacon of a brighter and prosperous future for Kirinyaga. It is a testament to our commitment towards the realization of shared economic transformation goals that aim at creating new jobs and fostering a climate where businesses can thrive,” Waiguru stated.
Inside Sagana Industrial City
The Sagana Industrial City comprises a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) which entails a County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), assorted industries, a four-star hotel, and a 9-hole golf course.
Waiguru says so far, more than 46 investors have shown interest in setting up various factories in the Sagana Industrial City.
“The development of Phase 1 of the EPZ which will host industries dealing in processing and manufacturing of export goods such as textiles and leather is ongoing,” she said.
Speaking during the same event, Ruto pledged full support to the successful implementation of the industrial city noting that his government has been undertaking negotiations US and European markets for export of the produce that will be processed in the industrial park.
“We are building the necessary infrastructure that will anchor our industrialisation and manufacturing and thus enable our economy to create jobs and inclusive wealth,” Ruto stated.
Ruto was accompanied by key ministry Cabinet Secretaries including Hassan Joho for Mining Blue Economy, Salim Mvuria Investments, Trade and Industries among other senior government officials. He said that he would be back to launch some of the industries in the Special Economic Zone and Export Processing Zone for the youth start working there immediately.
Ruto promised Ksh500 million for the development of the Export Processing Zone and another Ksh250 million towards the development of a County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP). The county government has already put in Ksh180 million towards the CAIP project.
The upcoming CAIP is aimed at supporting local and export industries targeting mainly agricultural produce such as dairy, avocadoes, macadamia, sunflower, integrated fruits and vegetables such as tomato, bananas, sweet potato, tea, coffee, rice and fish.