Kiambu:The county is seeking new partnerships with the European Union in sectors such as ICT, urban development, trade, and industrialization following high-level bilateral discussions.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Kimani Wamatangi hosted an EU delegation on Wednesday, led by Dr. Cristina Barrios and senior diplomats, to showcase Kiambu’s investment potential and discuss the impact of Kenya’s devolution model. The county highlighted its development progress over the past four years, presenting projects aimed at boosting local economic growth and improving service delivery.
Dr. Barrios emphasized that the visit was part of the EU’s broader efforts to strengthen ties with Kenya while gaining insights into the impact of county-level governance. She noted that both regions share a strong foundation in decentralized governance, drawing parallels between Kenya’s and Europe’s models.
The delegation evaluated key investment destinations across the county, focusing on enhancing economic growth in trade, ICT, and industrialization. The Githunguri County Aggregation and Industrial Park and the 325-acre Export Processing Zone in Thika Industrial City were prominent on the agenda.
Governor Wamatangi informed the delegation that local revenue collection had grown significantly since he took office in 2022, reaching approximately Sh6.5 billion. He attributed this growth to efforts in curbing corruption and improving collection efficiency, with the additional revenue reinvested into public infrastructure, including modernizing local educational facilities.
He highlighted Kiambu’s self-reliance, stating that the county has constructed over 500 learning facilities without national government funding, significantly enhancing educational access. The governor also discussed investments in agriculture and industrialization, including plans to build local markets for smallholder farmers through value addition. The nearly completed Githunguri County Aggregation and Industrial Park will soon become a central hub for processing and marketing local agricultural products.
Governor Wamatangi invited international partners and private investors to participate in the county’s rapid industrial expansion. The visit concluded with the governor highlighting Thika’s expected elevation to city status within six months, positioning Kiambu as a prime destination for international investment and a model for decentralized growth in Kenya.
