Nairobi: Turkana County is set to receive a Sh250 million matching grant from the national government for the development of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), following high-level talks between the two levels of government. County officials led by Trade, Cooperatives, Youth and Gender CECM Roseline Aite visited the State Department for Investment, Trade and Industrialization on Tuesday, where discussions centered on signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the CAIPs initiative.
According to Kenya News Agency, CECM Aite highlighted the significance of the MoU in paving the way for industrial growth and sustainability in underserved areas, while opening up market access through CAIPs. She called for swift action to operationalize the parks, noting their potential to stimulate local economies. "Our commitment to this project will enable communities to reap the benefits of industrial growth," Aite added.
Industrialization Secretary Prof. Erastus Gateba emphasized the need to balance trade and reduce reliance on imports. "The government is driving an industrial revolution to expand our investment base and correct trade imbalances," he said. Pauline Tangarae, Chief Officer for Trade and Cooperative Development, emphasized the potential of cotton as a key value chain in Turkana, especially in stabilizing the textile and apparel sector. "Our county has great potential for cotton farming. We must prioritize it within the CAIPs framework," she noted.
Other county officials present included Director of Trade, Investment, Industrialization and Enterprise Development Wilson Ejie. The national government team included Industrialization Director Joseph Mbeva, Manufacturing and Industrialization Policy Director Roy Nyangena, and Deputy Director of Field Services, Kenneth Ruto.