Kenyan counties seek to drive industrial growth

NAIROBI, KENYA: At least 2,350 acres of land will be set aside in all the counties for the establishment of industrial development and promotion of the informal sector.

The Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto, has said that each county government will allocate 50 acres for the industrial parks in their respective areas.

The chairman, who was speaking during a conference, which was attended by Salim Mvurya (Kwale) Issa Timamy (Lamu), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), pledged to support the jua kali sector in an effort to improve the economy and create employment opportunities.

The leaders were attending the launch of the National jua kali Devolution Conference in Nairobi.

“We are an army of 47 governors rearing and ready to act, we will drive the jua kali sector with a lot of gust,” said Ruto. The council also urged the counties to set up Saccos in order to encourage the culture of saving to accelerate growth.

They proposed that some Saccos should recruit members outside their counties to promote cohesiveness.

The governors accused the national government of neglecting the jua kali sector, saying it does not receive enough funds to finance their operations.

Speaking at the same function, Industrialisation Principal Secretary Cyrus Njiru, promised to harmonise the sector with the ministry for a sustainable growth.