The County Government of Uasin Gishu has stepped up preparations for the operationalization of its County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP), with a delegation from the Department of Trade, Investment, Tourism, Cooperatives and Enterprise Development undertaking a benchmarking visit to Kirinyaga County.

Led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Investment, Tourism, Cooperatives and Enterprise Development, Dr. Philip Chebunet, the delegation visited the Kirinyaga CAIP to gain practical insights into infrastructure development, equipment installation, value addition, park management and strategies for successful operationalization.

The benchmarking initiative aligns with Nguzo Kumi, particularly the County Government’s commitment to strengthening agriculture and economic empowerment through value addition, enterprise development, investment promotion and creation of opportunities for local businesses.

Kirinyaga County’s CAIP is approximately 95 per cent complete, with the installation and delivery of machinery and equipment currently underway. The delegation was received by Kirinyaga County Chief Officer for Trade, Eunice Kambur, who briefed the team on the progress of the facility, its management framework and preparations for operations.

For Uasin Gishu, the visit comes at a critical stage as construction of its CAIP reaches approximately 72 per cent completion. The County is using the benchmarking exercise to identify practical lessons that can be incorporated into the remaining phases of construction and preparations for commissioning.

The Uasin Gishu CAIP is envisioned as a key driver of the County’s economic transformation by providing infrastructure where agricultural produce can be aggregated, processed and value-added, creating stronger market linkages and expanding opportunities for farmers, cooperatives, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and investors.

Dr. Chebunet was accompanied by Director of Investment Erustus Kerich and Director for Enterprise Development Kipleting Mengich.