Fourteen investors move to invest in Mai Mahiu Special Economic Zone

A total of 14 investors have moved in to invest in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha with one of international companies already on the ground.

Seven of the international investors are expected to break ground by June this year and will be operational by the end of next year, according to the Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA).

This came as it emerged that the government was reviewing its budgetary allocation in a bid to address infrastructure around the multi-billion industrial park.

This emerged when Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo led senior government officers in reviewing the status of various development projects in Naivasha and Gilgil.

According to Owalo, the numbers of investors keen on the park were on the rise with the government promising various incentives including tax rebates and cheap power.

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Owalo said that a total of 14 investors had already been allocated land with the number expected to rise in the coming months.

“One of the investors is already on the ground selling imported cars, and he is seeking more land as demand continues to rise,” he said.

Addressing the press at the industrial park, Owalo said that the government was addressing the issue of infrastructure, which remained a challenge to many investors.

“As more investors show interest in the Special Economic zone, we are working on provision of water, roads, electricity, sewer system and ICT,” he said.

During the tour, Owalo put on notice contractors involved in the construction of Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets over the slow process of completing the projects.

“Some of these contractors have taken over several projects and they do not have the capacity thus delaying completion of these projects and we shall be forced to blacklist them,” he said.

On his part, David Kambo, a director with SEZA said that the government had agreed to review budgetary allocation towards the Naivasha Special Economic Zone.

He said that a multi-agency team comprising various government institutions like Kenya Power, Naivasha Water Company would address the issues of infrastructure development.

“Budgetary allocation was an issue after it was cut, but this is being addressed, and the pending infrastructure development will be sorted,” he said.

John Nderitu, an official from Kenya Ports Authority, said that cargo in the Inland Container Depot (ICD) was on the rise

“This is an extension of the Mombasa Port, and it’s fully operational with the number of cargo delivered through SGR for forward transition to Uganda on the rise,” he said.

Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Josiah Odongo assured investors of their security, adding that the government was working closely with local communities.