NANYUKI — The Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry in Kenya is spearheading initiatives to encourage local entrepreneurs to delve into the industrial and manufacturing sectors, traditionally dominated by foreign entities.
According to Kenya New Agency, speaking at a dissemination forum for the Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP IV) in Laikipia County, the government is actively working on strategies to bolster home-grown companies and maximize their potential in these sectors. She emphasized the feasibility of locals entering the manufacturing domain with modest initial investments. “Those who grow tomatoes can start making tomato paste in their backyards, others can engage in tanning raw hides and skins, while others can start manufacturing nails. We have to start with small industries,” Miano explained.
Miano highlighted that even the most developed nations began their journey to industrialization with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that eventually expanded into larger industries. She further noted that her ministry is dedicated to raising awareness about local manufacturing opportunities and facilitating access to financing, specifically through the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC).
“I am urging all those with bankable and feasible ideas on manufacturing to come to KDC, discuss their project ideas so that they can get start-up capital and start their industries,” Miano advised attendees.
The CS also outlined how the MTP IV aligns with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which focuses on critical areas such as agriculture transformation, healthcare, housing, digital infrastructure, creative arts, and the MSME economy. Specifically, MTP IV aims to address challenges like water scarcity, food insecurity, and to capitalize on Laikipia’s potential in agro-processing, livestock, leather, and meat value chains.
Additionally, Miano announced the allocation of Sh. 1.12 billion by the national government for the construction of 18 County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), which are intended to decentralize manufacturing capabilities to the county level, create job opportunities, and enhance local manufacturing and processing capacities.
“These CAIPs are very important as they will devolve manufacturing and industrialization to the county level, offer job opportunities, increase manufacturing and processing, and enable counties to participate in the export of manufactured goods and products,” Miano stated, adding that these facilities would also help reduce post-harvest losses among farmers during periods of surplus production.
Defense Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru, who attended the forum, praised the MTP IV as a transformative strategy for Laikipia, particularly in exploiting the livestock and leather value chain, given the region’s substantial livestock resources.