• The Special Economic Zones Act, 2015 (Act No. 16) is an Act of Parliament to encourage and assist domestic and foreign investors and promote and maintain an environment conducive to investments and related purposes. 

Nakuru farmers are set to benefit from selling their farm produce after Crystal Frozen and Chilled Foods Limited chose to set base in the Naivasha Special Economic Zone.

On Wednesday, August 21, 2024, several National and Nakuru County leaders attended and witnessed the company's groundbreaking ceremony. The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Salim Mvurya, who was in attendance, said it is a shame that potatoes are imported whereas farmers in Nakuru are producing to a surplus.

The Cabinet Secretary said the investor would buy produce from the local farmers, process for both local and export, and create jobs for the young. He also emphasized partnership with Egerton University in providing farmers with quality seed for better production.

According to Mvurya, several investors have expressed interest in setting up operations in Naivasha Special Economic Zone.

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The Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Salim Mvurya speaking during the ground breaking ceremony of Crystal Frozen, and Chilled Foods Limited in Naivasha Special Economic Zone. (Photo/Courtesy: David Omurunga)

“We have a total of 19 investors interested in setting up business here in Naivasha, already we have licensed 13 so very soon you will see me again here coming to launch them,” he said.

While in attendance, Nakuru County Deputy Governor Hon David Kones reiterated the need for the inclusion of the local community by the investor, through the formation of community liaison members to link the community to the investors for the smooth running of operations. He observed that letting the community itself elect members to the committee through the area administration will be crucial.

Nakuru County Deputy governor hon David Kones speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of Crystal Frozen, and Chilled Foods Limited in Naivasha Special Economic Zone. (Photo/Courtesy:   David Omurunga)

The deputy governor also called upon the investor to give the local community priority regarding employment, saying that the immediate community must benefit from such investment.

“Area people must benefit, be they skilled or unskilled. You must look for both skilled and unskilled from the local community first, if there are not enough, then you can source outside,” he said.

The Cabinet Secretary warned all the investors that they would face a license revocation if they didn’t start operations more than six months after licensing. One thousand acres are already available in Naivasha Special Economic Zone, and the other five thousand are already gazetted.

The Special Economic Zones Act, 2015 (Act No. 16) is an Act of Parliament to encourage and assist domestic and foreign investors and promote and maintain an environment conducive to investments and related purposes.

According to a Special Economic Zones authority, the designated geographical area where business enabling policies, integrated land uses and sector-appropriate on-site and off-site infrastructure and utilities shall be provided, or which has the potential to be developed, whether on a public, private or public-private partnership.

With 15 gazetted SEZs, Kenya is pursuing ambitious ambitions to increase exports and generate thousands of employments to accelerate economic growth by 2030.