The County department of Energy, Industrialization and Special Economic Zone, led by the Chief Officer, Eng. Daniel Okiya played host to top County officials from Kiambu.

The duo comprising of the Deputy Director, Esther Gatuguta and her counterpart Mary Muthoni from the department of Trade, Industrialization and Tourism, were in Kisumu for three days in learning program that would give them insights on how Kisumu County performs on matters trade and industrialization.

The purpose for the visit was to share ideas and challenges experienced in the fields of industrialization and trade programs among the two counties in so far as development is concerned.

They chose to come to Kisumu for the exchange program since both counties are beneficiaries of the special Economic zone (SEZ) projects.

Apart from Kiambu, other beneficiaries include: Kisumu focusing on Agro vet value addition, Mombasa and Lamu counties are focusing on transport infrastructure and Machakos County working on Konza City.

On the first day, in a discursive meeting meant to welcome the duo to Kisumu, the guests were treated to presentations on the development plans along the lakefront and the investment opportunities that come with Special Economic Zone that is set to be established in Miwani. These include industries such as the cement manufacturing company, Bio fertilizer plant, revival of the KICOMI industry among others

The program also involved touring the Kisumu lakefront, Miwani factory and KIRDI.

Day two of the exchange program kicked off with touring Miwani sugar factory, the location set for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) project, led by the County Director Industrialization and Special Economic Zone, Mr. Enos Otieno Adala.

The purpose for site visit was to share experiences how prepared Kisumu is for the SEZ project on matters land acquisition and challenges faced in so far as the project is concerned.

“Kisumu has earmarked 1000 acres in Miwani sugar factory for the project since it is adjacent to the CBD and it has soils and water sources that favor agriculture. Its potential is also expected to open up the sleeping Miwani milling giant that closed down in 2001” said Mr. Dan Muga the Miwani nuclear Estate Manager who also doubled as the host.

Day three was crowned with visitation of Kenya Industrial Research Development Institute (KIRDI), working in partnership with the County government in the line of SMEs; hence it was a learning experience for the guests on the importance of partnerships with the existing public institutions to spur development on matters trade.

The guests commended the good plans Kisumu has and that the realization of the same will  open up more opportunities and network  with investors both locally and internationally.

Also present during the site visit were: Miwani Agricultural Supervisor, Mr. Fredrick Boge, Jared Akello, Ward Administrator Mr. Lameck Ochieng, and Mr. Phelix County officer department of industrialization among others.

The County Chief Officer for Energy and Industrialization, Eng Okiya giving a brief during a meeting with Kiambu Deputy Director, Esther Gatuguta and Mary Muthoni in Kisumu 

Kiambu Deputy Director for Industrialization, Trade and Tourism, Esther Gatuguta giving her remarks during the exchange program in Kisumu

Visiting Miwani Sugar factory the location earmarked for special Economic Zone

Kisumu County Director for Industrialisation and Special Economic Zone, Mr. Enos Adala together with Kiambu Deputy Director, Esther Gatuguta and Mary Muthoni during a meeting at Miwani Sugar factory.