Kiambu to set up a leather industry on a 50-acre piece of land in Thika
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| FILE: Acting Kiambu Governor Dr. James Nyoro in an earlier function. |
While speaking to the press at Thika
Technical Institute ground after the closing ceremony of the Central Region SME
Conference & Expo 2019, Nyoro pointed out that Kiambu County and in particular
Dagoretti Market, produced the highest amount of hides and skins. However, he
said, the bulk of these products was either neglected to waste or are sold at
throwaway prices.
“Our priority as a government is
to revive the leather industry. In this regards, we are sourcing for 50 acres
of land in Thika where we will invest in tanneries and leather manufacturing
plants to produce shoes for our armed forces and the general public, handbags,
car seat cushions, jackets, leather garments and even industrial gloves,”
explained Nyoro.
Nyoro added that the revival of
this sector had the potential to turn around Thika’s economy and those of the
people supplying these hides and skins
“This tannery has the potential
to stimulate local employment and wealth creation in the leather industry in
line with the president’s Big 4 Agenda.”
Nyoro said that his government
was also focusing on ways to create conducive business environment especially
for the small traders who struggled to make ends meet.
“We will invest on model kiosks
and identify areas where we shall put them. Before that, we need to come up
with other solutions that will be favourable to both the hawkers and those in
formal businesses,” he said.
The Ag. Governor added that plans
were underway to set up a multi-million Muguga Agripark in Kikuyu sub-county
that will support the agribusiness sector in the county.
“We are about to sign an MOU with KARLO to support the investment with professional support on aspects of quality feed with regards to ingredients, sources of materials and use of new technologies.”
Nyoro said that they were in the
process of reviving Uplands Bacon Factory in Lari Sub-county to ensure the pork
sub-sector was up and running for its economic contributions to the county and
also increase incomes and jobs creation.
He also pointed out that Kiambu
County was among eight counties selected by the American Government under the
Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM) programme, which seeks to strengthen direct
trade and investments between the United States and select counties.
“The programme focuses on what
counties value most, it's sustainability to facilitate a decent life for its
residents and an increase in financial self-sufficiency. This will go a long
way in promoting direct trade for our agricultural products; tea, coffee,
avocado, pork, macadamia nuts, and poultry with emphasis on value addition. For
Kiambu, the Americans chose to support our coffee sector,” he explained.
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