This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On September 22, 2019, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) announced that it had secured land in five counties to establish industrial parks.
The counties of Embu, Migori, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Nandi have provided land for the parks, which will be set up in partnership with local and international investors.
KNCCI President Richard Ngatia said that the chamber has prioritized the establishment of industrial parks to boost trade in the region.
"Lack of land has been a major challenge before, but now we are happy five county governments have offered land for the industrial parks," Ngatia said.
He added that many investors are ready to pump their money into the projects, with each county to have a facility built in line with its potential and the size of land provided.
The move coincides with the chamber's objective of supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to produce and distribute goods and services in a more efficient manner, especially within the counties.
KNCCI is one of the implementing agencies of the Switch Africa Green Project, which is supported by the United Nations and the European Union.
The project aims to reach at least 1,000 entrepreneurs in the three value chains of Mango, Coffee, and Dairy in selected counties in Kenya.
So far, more than 300 traders from Nandi, Kericho, Kiambu, Kajiado, and Uasin Gishu have been trained on best business practices.
Ngatia also announced that the chamber has raised Sh100 million from various stakeholders towards improving trade among its members countrywide.
He said that his team has led trade missions to secure business deals, including accompanying President Uhuru Kenyatta to Japan to attend the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) VII.
