By REBECCA WANGARI
Murang’a County Government is set to hold its second investors’ conference as it seeks to attract more investors to the available business and investment opportunities in the county.
The county held its inaugural investors’ conference in July last year, showcasing opportunities for industrialisation on a parcel of land ceded by Del Monte Company.
The event, slated for September 25, 2026, will also be used to showcase progress made at the Makenji Special Economic Zone (SEZ) industrial hub and position it as a key driver of economic growth in the county.
The Murang’a Budget and Economic Council (MBEC), which is organising the event, held a consultative meeting to assess the county’s industrialisation strategy, ongoing flagship projects and developments at the Makenji SEZ, where some investors have already started operations.
Businessman and council member Jimnah Mbaru said they were impressed by the progress made so far, lauding the county government’s efforts to create an environment capable of attracting and retaining investors.
Mbaru said the county was positioning itself to benefit from industrial investment and create more economic opportunities for residents, adding that the initiative could be a game changer not only for Murang’a but for the country at large.
“Some of the investors have already completed their construction works and will begin their production soon, which will create job opportunities and economic growth,” said Mbaru.
“This project is also in alignment with Vision 2050, and the county is laying the strategies for it by creating room for industrialisation and upgrading the infrastructure to accommodate the changes,” he added.
Muthoni Gichohi, another member of the council, noted that Murang’a has huge potential to attract industrial investments, adding that the inaugural investors’ conference had already started yielding results.
Muthoni said the second investors’ conference would build on the achievements of the first by seeking to attract more local and international investors.
“The journey started last year, and the progress achieved so far is impressive, and more is on the way,” she said.
Kakuzi PLC Managing Director Chris Flowers commended the county government for bringing together professionals and business leaders to provide ideas and expertise on economic development.
He said such partnerships were important in helping the county identify investment opportunities, address challenges facing investors and strengthen its competitiveness.
The county’s investment strategy is anchored on leveraging its agricultural base, strategic location and expanding infrastructure to promote value addition, manufacturing and other industrial activities.
The Makenji SEZ is expected to play a central role in this strategy by providing serviced industrial land and an enabling environment for businesses to establish and expand their operations.
More than 55 per cent of the available industrial land at the zone has already been allocated to successful applicants following the inaugural investors’ conference held last year, an indication of growing investor interest in the county.
