Uasin Gishu Governor Dr Jonathan Bii has affirmed his commitment to working closely with the national government’s Ministry of Investment Trade and Industry(MITI) to ensure that investors can utilize both the Export Processing Zone(EPZ) and the County Aggregation and Industrial Park(CAIP) projects upon completion.

Speaking on Monday after hosting Cabinet Secretary for MITI Hon Lee Kinyanjui, who was in the county to check on the progress of the multimillion projects, Governor Bii said Eldoret has a potential of housing huge investments, reiterating the need for an investor aspect to operationalize these projects upon completion.

As the 135-acre hub is set to transform Uasin Gishu into an agro-processing and manufacturing powerhouse, CAIP, on the other hand, is expected to enhance trade through additional value of products and create jobs and countless opportunities for farmers and SMEs.

CS Kinyanjui, on his part, said: “Eldoret is the regional hub for the East Africa Community (EAC), and the projects will further accelerate the growth of the new city.”

He said the Ministry is ready to initiate other phases once the already established projects are utilized, adding that there is need to have sizeable segments of farmers that are able to supply raw materials to fully operationalize the industries.

The CS further lauded the county for being among the 13 counties that are developing the projects.

The representative of the business community, Willy Kenei, who was also part of the delegation, said the project is key to propelling industrialization, investments, job creation, and growth of the economy, adding that “As the private sector, we’re working together to onboard the investors to invest and make our region grow”

Later in the day, the governor and the CS held a consultative forum with the investors who have expressed interest in setting up at Eldoret EPZ.

PS for the State Department for Industry Juma Mukhwana, County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale, top County Government officials, including Deputy Governor Evans Kapkea, County Executive for Trade and Cooperatives Martha Cheruto, Eng Lucy Ng’endo(Youth and Sports) Ag County Secretary Ambrose Tarus were among those present.

Also present during the inspection of progress were Richard Cheruiyot Export Processing Zones Authority – Kenya Board Chairman and Richard Omelu, Chief Executive Officer, EPZA.