Tunai earmarks 'cheap' land to woo investors

The county government has earmarked geographical areas that investors can affordably purchase land for purposes of setting up factories and related facilities, Governor Samuel Tunai has said.

The governor said the selected areas will be recommended to the Industrialisation Cabinet secretary to be gazetted as special economic zones.

Speaking yesterday during the Narok County Investment Summit at Serena Hotel in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Mr Tunai exuded confidence that the summit would turn the economy of the county around. The summit with the theme ‘Building Pillars of Investment and Production through Partnership and Positioning’ has attracted several local and international investors.

Tunai said over the next two days, the summit would discuss great business opportunities for new investments and start-up ventures.

“I want to offer my assurance to those that have chosen to invest here that they have done the right thing. The Special Economic Zones Act will facilitate investments in the agricultural sector and related activities and services,” said Tunai.

While lauding the co-operation between the county government and the national government, the governor said the move would make the acquisition of licences, including necessary work permits, easier and faster.

“The county laws, regulations and policies for industrial, agricultural and recreational investments and their implementation are clear, accessible, transparent and predictable. Our Trade and Investment Policy will favour those who have chosen to invest here,” he said.

YEARS OF PLANNING

Tunai said to safeguard these gains, the Narok County Investment Act, which creates and empowers a County Investment Board to facilitate investment in the county and respond to every concern of investors, has been put in place.

Noting that this is the first and biggest investment summit to be hosted by the county, Tunai said it has taken the county three years to plan.

“We first embarked on developing the County Integrated Development Plan. Over the last two years, we carefully mapped all the resources in the county. We are in possession of all critical information to inform investors,” said the governor.

The governor noted that Kenya is strategically located in sub-Saharan Africa and is a key global hub for air travel with expanded access to cities in the world. He said from Narok, investors can do business with India, the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world without any difficulty.

He said the coming into force of the Special Economic Zones Act in September 2015 was an important national initiative aimed at attracting foreign investment to Kenya.

“This legislation goes a long way in boosting investments by creating mechanisms for setting aside special economic zones,” he said.

Tunai said Narok’s proximity to Nairobi and being the gateway to Western Kenya is a boost for investors.