State told to address industrial park woes

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago leads the charge in transforming Eldoret Town. [PHOTO:PETER OCHIENG/STANDARD.

Investors in the Sh207 billion special economic zone in Uasin Gishu County want the Government to address obstacles hindering the project.

The chairman of DL Group of companies, David Lagat, one of the main actors in the proposed project, said lack of security, water and good road network is threatening the implementation of the industrial park.

Mr Lagat said work on the first phase slow pace because of myriad of challenges that he said required attention to attract investors.

He was addressing the media at Uasin Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago’s office in Eldoret town yesterday after leading a delegation of Chinese investors to the site. The Chinese team was led by Deputy Director General Guangdong Foreign Affairs Office Zhu Dudian.

Facilitate investment

The project aims to facilitate investment in various sectors of the economy, among them manufacturing, real estate and shopping malls.

Lagat said several houses had been constructed at the proposed industrial park ahead of rollout of the second phase slated for next year.

He also said six Chinese investors had expressed an interest in manufacturing, agro-business, energy, construction and electronics.

"Both of us are going to be the first beneficiaries. I say this because six Chinese companies have already expressed an interest to set up their businesses at the industrial park in December," said Lagat.

In a bid to woo more investors to the special economic zone, Lagat said a delegation from the Uasin Gishu County government led by Governor Mandago was set to travel to China