Ruto tells counties to provide good environment for investment

President William Ruto has challenged counties to provide a stable, predictable, and conducive environment for businesses and investments to thrive. 

The President said counties are integral to the country’s development and are a focal point in attracting investors.

Dr Ruto, who was speaking in Murang’a during an investment conference organised to explore opportunities in the devolved unit, praised the establishment of agro-processing linkages and markets as a development agenda that will generate income and create wealth.

Ruto said Murang’a is the sixth special economic zone in a 500-acre area. Others are in Nakuru, Eldoret, Sagana, and Busia, and are part of the efforts to transform the economy.

He emphasised that for the investment to thrive, the county governments must provide a stable, predictable, and business-friendly environment to improve infrastructure, streamline regulations, foster innovation, and lower the cost of doing business. 

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“For the economy to thrive, there is a need for robust cooperation between the national and county governments to lower the cost of doing business,” said Ruto.

The President added that Murang’a offers significant opportunities in agriculture, housing, and infrastructure development. He announced plans to construct a pharmaceutical hub at the special economic zone. 

“Murang’a has a compelling vision and strategic foresight in the planning of the investment conference, as there is a Chinese investor who will invest in 400 acres of land in the industrial park,” said Ruto.

He defended the Affordable Housing Programme and said it would help preserve land for farming.

“The land for commercial farms should not be disrupted with shelter as we are interested in agricultural progress and food security. The government was working on 400 modern markets across the country fitted with cold rooms, to limit post-harvest loss,” said the President.

He lauded Governor Irungu Kang’ata for setting aside enough land for a special economic zone on 500 acres, and another 800 acres for establishing industries.

“The Ministry of Trade and Investment will work toward the establishment of a manufacturing zone in Murang’a,” he said, adding that the government will strengthen infrastructure to spur industrial development.

Kang’ata said the industrial park, measuring 1,300 acres, will generate revenue, employment, and create backward linkages.