The County Government of Uasin Gishu is set to begin the establishment of an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) on the outskirts of Eldoret town.
The EPZ will be established on a 135 hectares piece of land in Cherunya farm, Langas estate. The land is owned by the Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC).
And to kick start the setting up of the zone, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, Moses Kuria on Tuesday announced its gazettement.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 15 (1) of the Export Processing Zone Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry declares the land specified in the Schedule hereto to be an Export Processing Zone,” read part of the Kenya Gazette dated April 18, 2023.
“All that parcel of land known as Title Number Eldoret/Municipality Block 15/1775 measuring approximately 135 hectares or thereabout, situated within Uasin Gishu County,” it added.
The new EPZ which will be established under flagship manufacturing hubs is expected to open up the region economically further signifying a huge milestone, especially on matters of investment through the attraction of investors that will result in the creation of job opportunities.
Under the initiative, the National Government has committed to allocate Ksh100 million to support it, with devolved units also allocating the same amount of money.
Business hub
The gazettement of the EPZ land follows Governor Jonathan Bii Administration’s quest and readiness to work closely with traders and investors in making the royal county a business hub through the establishment of aggregation centres and industrial parks.
It also comes barely two months after the county boss visited the land together with Industrialization Principal Secretary Juma Mukhawana.
EPZs are designed to promote export-oriented industries, which will boost the country’s export earnings and contribute to the growth of the local economy as well as facilitate export-oriented investment to the East African Community (EAC).
