Kisumu: The government has acquired 2,000 acres of land in Miwani, Kisumu County, for the establishment of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ), aimed at boosting industrial growth and job creation in the region. ODM party leader Raila Odinga said the land, formerly part of the defunct Miwani Sugar Company Nucleus Estate, will host factories and industries expected to attract both local and international investors.
According to Kenya News Agency, Odinga, speaking in Muhoroni Sub County, highlighted that the SEZ will benefit from its strategic location, with access to the railway line, Kisumu Port on Lake Victoria, and the upgraded international airport. 'Investors will set up companies to manufacture different products right here, with some destined for export markets,' Odinga noted.
He added that the investment will provide a gateway for importing raw materials such as coltan, nickel, and copper ore from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will be processed into products like batteries for electric vehicles, in line with global shifts away from petrol-powered transport. 'As the world moves away from petrol-powered vehicles toward electric mobility, the demand for motor vehicle batteries is soaring and the Miwani SEZ will lead in the production of these batteries,' he said.
The Miwani SEZ is projected to create over 15,000 jobs at initiation and progressively expand to more than 200,000 jobs over time, offering much-needed employment opportunities for young people. Odinga emphasized that the project reflects the government's broader agenda of inclusive development and grassroots empowerment, ensuring that prosperity reaches all Kenyans.