Uasin Gishu County is well prepared to put into use the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) once these industries are completed.

Speaking on Monday when he played host to the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment Rebecca Miano, Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii said his administration is well prepared on the needed raw materials ranging from horticulture, high-value crops such as coffee, avocado and other needed materials.

The governor said plans are underway to revitalize Eldoret town which was once an industrious town back to its glory through such initiatives saying the common goal is to benefit residents of the county to grow their wealth and create employment.

The County partnered with the national government in the development of CAIP to the tune of Ksh 500 million.

Cabinet Secretary on her part said her docket’s key mandate is to attract investments maintaining that there is a need to position Eldoret town to increase manufacturing from the current 7 per cent GDP to 15 per cent by 2027.

“Eldoret is a key and strategic county especially on matters of export because of its climatic conditions. We want to return the town’s glory and to achieve the government’s agenda in Industrialization” she said.

She further said the ministry is hastening the need to have investors who are ready to work at the CAIPs and the EPZ as soon as the construction is complete adding that Eldoret has been earmarked as a centre for Industrialization as well as positioning the county as an industrial hub.

Miano also called on investors to prioritize Eldoret for investment because of its good climate, fertile soil, and human resource among other key aspects.

Deputy Governor Eng. John Barorot said: “We want to use CAIPs to influence locals to do value addition. Our focus should also be labour intensive to enable our youth to get employment “

According to Barorot, CAIPs will make it easier for investors to produce their products than depending on their go-downs.

PS State Department for Industry, Dr Juma Mukhwana, County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale, County Executive Committee Members Martha Cheruto (Trade), Edward Sawe (Agriculture), Dr. Janet Kosgei(Lands), Eng. Joseph Lagat(Roads), Various MCAs, County Secretary Edwin Bett, Chief Officers and Directors were among those present during the meeting.

Later in the day, the officials visited the EPZ site in Rivatex and CAIP in Moiben Centre, Moiben Sub County.