Economic bloc gets Sh3b boost to set up industrial park in Nyamira county
AGRO-INDUSTRY: The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) is set for a major economic boost as the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (Unido) starts construction of a Sh3 billion international agro-industrial park for export.
The park will be set up in Nyamira County with funding from the UN body and the County Government at Sironga grounds on 265 acres of government land.
Acting Unido Country Director Kawira Bucyana said last week the park will be key in transforming the region’s agricultural economy.
“It has been common knowledge since pre-independence Kenya that trade in raw materials has not been bringing real returns to the farmers. Establishing the park means that there will be more value to farmers products,” she said.
According to the UN official, through the initiative, farmers from the Lake Region will be linked to global value chains.
“We recently launched the Free Continental Trade Area. The initiative means that farmers from Kenya can now have free access to markets in Egypt, South Africa and across the continent which will ensure diversification of economic activities and a shift to agro-industries, an aspect that will create the much needed jobs for young people,” Kawira said.
Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang’i who was represented by Jane Mugambi said the park will tap on agricultural potentials from a radius of 200 square kilometers.
Airstrip
The officer observed that already the Kenya Airports Authority is working out logistics to have an airstrip in Nyamira as one of the developmental milestones accompanying the mega industrial project.
“What we will do is to sensitize our people to take up the opportunity and upscale production of particular agricultural products.
We will create an enabling environment and no doubt they will upscale their production,” said Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo, adding that President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to inaugurate the project formally at the end of this month.
“We shall do our best to legislate important laws that will necessitate the development,” said Nyamira County Speaker Moffat Teya.
