Investment Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan with Murang'a governor Irungu Kang'ata at the Murang'a Industrial Park on March 3, 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA



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Six companies have officially begun constructing manufacturing plants at the Murang’a Industrial Park.

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The works mark a major milestone in the county’s push to become a leading industrial hub.

The companies broke ground at the 1,300-acre park on land ceded by Del Monte Kenya Limited in a ceremony presided over by Investment Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan.

The park is taking shape just months after the county administration hosted its inaugural investment conference to attract industrial investors in June 2025.

After a rigorous and transparent vetting process, 27 investors were approved and are currently at various stages of onboarding.

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang'ata said the investment conference has so far secured more than Sh57 million in revenue for the county. This is in addition to millions more in bank guarantees that will support development programmes.

“Our county is keen on positioning itself as a manufacturing powerhouse, with a strong focus on agro-processing industries that can create backward linkages with farmers and stimulate economic growth,” the governor said.

The onboarded investors span agro-processing, healthcare, commercial enterprises and diverse manufacturing sectors, positioning Murang’a as a competitive industrial hub.

The projects are expected to generate significant employment opportunities, stimulate local value chains and expand the county’s revenue base.

Among the six companies that have commenced construction is Ashland Traders Limited, which is putting up a factory to manufacture paving and building blocks and is expected to employ more than 200 people.

Other investors breaking ground include KenAgro, which is setting up a facility to process certified hybrid seeds and manufacture feed additives.

Top Pork and Kenya Tea Development Agency are also establishing processing factories at the site.

Manufacturers break ground at the Murang'a Industial park located along Thika-Kenol highway/ ALICE WAITHERA

According to the governor, the industrial park is central to Murang’a’s long-term economic transformation strategy.

It aims to promote value addition, job creation, technology transfer and positioning the county as a premier investment destination in Kenya and the wider region.

The industrial park integrates both a Special Economic Zone that has been allocated 500 acres, while the remaining acreage has been approved as a SEZ.

This allows investors to operate within either a customs-controlled or non-customs framework.

The county government is also constructing six go-downs within the park to support investors.

“The transition from planning to implementation signals strong investor confidence following our county’s mobilisation efforts,” the governor said.

“This groundbreaking ceremony marks a decisive step towards sustainable industrial growth and affirms Murang’a’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for investorThe PS said the national government is positioning Murang’a as a manufacturing hub for pharmaceuticals and other value-added products, leveraging the trade agreements Kenya is negotiating globally.

He indicated Kenya is set to sign a duty-free trade deal with China and that a Chinese investor is expected to set up a factory at the park.

“Murang’a is the fourth industrial park under development and more are planned across the country,” the PS said.

The county’s economy is heavily rooted in agriculture and agro-processing, with tea and coffee among its most significant economic drivers.

The county is Kenya’s largest producer of tea, with smallholder farmers affiliated with 10 tea factories earning about Sh17.8 billion in 2024.

This represents roughly 19.9 per cent of total earnings for smallholder tea producers nationwide, making it a key contributor to rural livelihoods and trade.

Tea production supports more than 85,000 smallholder farmers in the county and remains a cornerstone of the local economy.