Business magnate Jimnah Mbaru, a member of Murang’a Budget and Economic Council (MBEC), during a meeting with governor Irungu Kang'ata/ ALICE WAITHERAMurang’a county is rapidly positioning itself as a regional industrial hub, backed by rising investor activity at the Makenji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and targeted infrastructure expansion by the county government.
The developments have energized the Murang’a Budget and Economic Council (MBEC), a consultative body of business executives, professionals, scholars, and public servants.
Gathering ahead of the second Murang’a Investors Dinner scheduled for later this month, council members evaluated the county's performance following a briefing by Governor Irungu Kang’ata on industrialisation plans and flagship economic projects.
Kangata briefed the council on the county’s industrialisation strategy, developments at the Makenji SEZ and progress on flagship projects that are expected to drive economic growth.
Over 55 per cent of the available industrial land at the zone has already been allocated to successful applicants following the inaugural investors conference held last year, signalling growing interest in the county as an investment destination.
Businessman Jimnah Mbaru said the council was encouraged by the developments taking place on the land formerly owned by Del Monte, saying some investors had completed their projects and were preparing to commence production.
“Some of them have already completed their projects, and they will start the production of goods within the next few months,” Mbaru noted.
The 1,300-acre Murang’a Industrial Park, located along the Thika-Kenol highway, incorporates both an 800-acre SEZ and a 500-acre Export Processing Zone.
The SEZ is designed to accommodate manufacturing, agro-processing, healthcare, technology and other enterprises, with the county targeting value addition and job creation.
Six investors have already moved to the construction stage, with Ashland Traders Limited setting up a plant for paving and building blocks, while KenAgro Industries is developing a facility for processing certified hybrid seeds and manufacturing feed additives.
Top Pork and the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) are also establishing processing facilities, while other firms that have secured leases include Absolute Healthcare Services, Pelican Metal and Joska Enterprises.
The county has so far approved 27 investors from 48 applications received after the first investment conference in June 2025, with the successful applicants at different stages of establishing their operations. Six firms have also received 99-year leases for their projects.
The investment drive has also attracted interest from Chinese investors, who pledged Sh20 billion towards projects in the industrial park during a county-led investment mission to China last year. The proposed investments were expected to create more than 10,000 jobs.
Mbaru said the county’s long-term development plans were taking shape, with the proposed Vision 2050 expected to guide urbanisation and infrastructure development over the next 15 to 20 years.
He noted that the county was preparing to upgrade urban areas and put in place the necessary infrastructure ahead of expected population and economic growth.
Kakuzi PLC managing director Chris Flowers praised the county government for creating a platform where the private sector can engage with government and contribute ideas towards the county’s development agenda.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity where we can share ideas with the sole purpose of seeing how we can advance the development agenda of the county,” Flowers said.
Ambassador Muthoni Gichohi, a member of MBEC, said the council was particularly encouraged by the progress made since the first investors conference, expressing optimism that the county could emerge as an industrialised economy.
“With the steps that have already been taken, we are happy to know that there has been a lot of interest in setting up the factories in the industrial park. We look forward to Murang’a becoming an industrialised county,” she said.
The second Murang’a Investors Dinner is expected to build on the gains made during the inaugural conference by bringing together local and international investors and showcasing opportunities available in the county.
The county government has positioned industrialisation, agro-processing and value addition as key pillars of its economic transformation agenda, with the Makenji SEZ expected to provide a major platform for attracting businesses, creating employment and expanding markets for local producers.
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The 1,300-acre Murang’a Industrial Park, located along the Thika-Kenol highway, incorporates both an 800-acre SEZ and a 500-acre Export Processing Zone.
The progress has renewed optimism among members of the Murang’a Budget and Economic Council (MBEC), who have been assessing the county’s economic performance ahead of the second Murang’a Investors Dinner scheduled for later this month.
