By The Mountain Journal
Laikipia county government in its final touches to prepare a relocation
of the headquarters to Rumuruti an investment forum is planned to help the
local exploit the untapped opportunities.
This week, the government has
organized a platform to market Rumuruti where the county government under the
command of Governor Ndiritu Muriithi and his deputy have been working on the
relocation strategy.
The idea to relocate the headquarters to decongest Nanyuki
perceived to be lying near the border with Nyeri county is aimed at attracting
more investors to the western part of Laikipia county.
According to county
Economic Advisor Githuku Mwangi, the Investment Forum will take place on
February 26, 2021, where the locals will be taken through the exciting growth
opportunities for engineering, agro-processing firms, hospitality, and real
estate sector.
Real Estate firms are trooping to Laikipia eying to buy land to be developed to attract investors in areas near Rumuruti town.
Githuku said the forum will provide a
marketing platform for firms manufacturing inputs, farm machinery, irrigation
kits, and accessories and processing equipment.
In addition, it will
enlighten farmers and business people on the business case for setting up
manufacturing plants in Laikipia.
The main objective of the forum is to promote the
manufacturing of irrigation kits and accessories, farm equipment, and value
addition of high-value produce in Rumuruti town.
“ It will generate
partnerships to accelerate attainment of the Government’s goal to irrigate
50,000 acres and add value to at least 50% of the produce within Laikipia,”
said the advisor.
The strategy by the county government targets to grow its
economy fourfold – from the current Sh100 billion to Sh400 billion by
prioritizing manufacturing, commercial agriculture, tourism, and mining as the
key investment sectors.
At this forum, the
Government will present projects under the ‘Water for Production’ initiative
that offers partnerships to the private sector to buy and process the produce
under a structured scheme.
Mowarak The anchor partners are Nyahururu water company and
Nanyuki water company ( Nawasco) that will manage water and irrigation infrastructure and collect the
tariffs from farmers to pay off the investment and maintain the irrigation
system and water pans through regular desilting.
Availability of more
than 2,000-acres of land in Rumuruti Municipality for a serviced Special
Economic Zone (SEZ) and reliable energy source are important motivations to the
investors.
Laikipia North TTI at Mouwarak presents engineering firms with
another opportunity to access the latest models of lathe machines to fashion
out components, accessories, tools, and machine parts fast and in large
quantities.
You can reach our news desk via 0719-889-925
