Murang’a County to Establish Export Processing Zone to Attract Investors

President William Ruto underscored the critical relationship between land management, agricultural productivity, and economic development at the Murang'a Investment Conference held recently at Thika Greens Resort. 

Ruto articulated his administration's vision to mitigate land subdivision, primarily in agriculturally rich areas, through the government's affordable housing program.

The President stated that unchecked land fragmentation poses a significant risk to the nation's food production capabilities. The administration's affordable housing initiative is designed to alleviate pressure on farmland conversion for residential use by promoting urban housing. 

Ruto argued that larger, consolidated agricultural holdings are essential for optimising yields, supporting value addition in key cash crops like coffee, tea, macadamia, and avocado, and maintaining economies of scale that foster agro-processing industries, ultimately boosting farmers' incomes. Ruto reaffirmed his administration's commitment to land tenure security, recognising land as a fundamental driver of investment. 

Safeguarding land ownership rights, he asserted, would stimulate foreign direct investment and facilitate optimal land utilisation through strategic public-private partnerships. He said the government intends to streamline land-related regulations to bolster investor confidence and maximise land productivity.

The President called for greater collaboration between national and county governments, emphasising the importance of aligning investment policies and regulatory frameworks. 

He emphasised that harmonised regulations and coordinated investment promotion efforts are crucial for countries to attract business while integrating their development agendas into Kenya's broader economic strategy. The forum addressed the alignment of county-level investment promotion with Kenya's foreign trade initiatives. Ruto highlighted the recently signed European Union-Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement, which grants local exporters duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market. 

He positioned this agreement as an opportunity for county governments to expand their agro-processing and manufacturing sectors, enhancing their competitive positioning in global markets. Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata unveiled ambitious plans to establish a 1,300-acre industrial park, including an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) and a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). These zones offer investors tax holidays, exemptions, and streamlined operational procedures. 

The EPZ will benefit from a ten-year corporate tax waiver and other fiscal incentives to encourage investment. Kang'ata highlighted Murang'a's strategic advantages, including its proximity to Nairobi and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, which improves logistical efficiency for businesses operating within the SEZ. The county has also allocated 29 acres near Kabati for an aggregation and industrial park dedicated to processing agricultural produce, which aims to bolster exports and enable farmers to capture greater value from their crops.

Equity Group CEO James Mwangi pledged financial backing to businesses seeking to establish operations in Murang'a. Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha called for national government support in industrial expansion, advocating for clearer frameworks that enable counties to access credit and other incentives to stimulate manufacturing and job creation. Badilisha emphasised that strengthening county-based industries is essential for long-term economic resilience and sustainable employment opportunities.

President Ruto reiterated the importance of establishing well-equipped market centres across the country to reduce post-harvest losses by providing farmers with storage solutions and better market access.