Nairobi: Murang’a County government’s move to become an industrial hub received a boost after six companies were issued with allotment letters for land at the Murang’a Industrial Park, with more than half of the available space already taken up by investors. The investors received 44 allotment letters granting them 99-year leases at the industrial park, which is being developed on the former Del Monte Kenya Limited land. The move is expected to accelerate ongoing factory construction and attract additional investment into the county.
According to Kenya News Agency, Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata said the county government has already raised Sh. 240 million as lease fee from investors who have secured land at the park. The revenue generated will support key county programmes, including employment of interns, payment of teachers, and expansion of infrastructure within the industrial zone. ‘We have already allocated about 55 percent of the available land and we will soon invite applications for the remaining parcels,’ said Kang’ata.
The companies that received the allotment letters include Absolute Healthcare Services, Top Pork, Kenagro Industries, Ashland Traders Limited, Pelican Metal and Joska Enterprises. Two additional investors are currently undergoing the final stages of allocation with several firms having already commenced development works at the site. Kenagro Industries Director John Muhia said the company is establishing a sunflower processing plant and an animal feed additives factory, projects expected to create a market for local farmers.
Ashland Traders Director Sam Njoroge said construction of the company’s cabro manufacturing plant is underway and production is expected to begin within a month. ‘The lease documents will strengthen our ability to access financing and expand our investment in Murang’a,’ said Njoroge.
The industrial park has attracted growing investor interest since the inaugural Murang’a Investment Conference held in June 2025. Following two calls for investment applications, the county received 48 proposals from prospective investors. After a vetting process, 27 investors were approved and are currently at different stages of establishing their operations within the park, with some already undertaking construction works.
Kang’ata said the county’s long-term goal is to transform Murang’a into a manufacturing and value-addition centre capable of creating thousands of jobs. ‘We want Murang’a to become a leading industrial destination. Agro-processing industries will create markets for farmers, stimulate local production and strengthen the county’s economy,’ he added.
The Murang’a Industrial Park occupies approximately 1,300 acres and combines both a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) and an Export Processing Zone (EPZ), a model designed to attract both export-oriented and domestic market industries. About 500 acres have been designated as an EPZ, while the remaining land falls under the SEZ framework, allowing investors to choose between customs-controlled and non-customs business operations.
The county government is also constructing six warehouses within the park to support industrial activities. The governor observed that the project is central to Murang’a’s economic transformation agenda, with expected benefits including job creation, increased county revenue, technology transfer and enhanced value addition in agriculture and manufacturing sectors. Once fully operational, the industrial park is expected to position Murang’a among Kenya’s leading investment destinations while opening new opportunities for local businesses, farmers and job seekers.
