Murang’a Invest 2025 Pioneers a New Era of Industrialization

Murang’a County on Friday June 13, 2025, officially launched its first-ever investment conference — Murang’a Invest 2025 — with an ambitious plan to transform the region into a leading industrial and investment hub in Kenya.

The two-day event, held at the Thika Greens Golf Resort and spearheaded by Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata, showcased over Sh100 billion in potential investment opportunities across agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, infrastructure, and tourism.

In his opening remarks, Governor Kang’ata outlined four primary objectives of the conference: to market Murang’a as a viable investment destination, to grow the county’s own-source revenue, to catalyze job creation through private sector engagement, and to build backward linkages between manufacturing and local agricultural sectors.

“Whether deals are signed here or not, this conference has already succeeded in marketing Murang’a as an investment destination and if investors come and set up here, they will contribute to our revenue base, allowing us to avoid raising taxes for our residents,” said Dr. Kang’ata.

He emphasized that governments do not directly create jobs but are responsible for establishing an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.

“Our pivot toward industrialization is deliberate; no country across the world has become rich without manufacturing,” he added, citing Bangladesh’s success with textile manufacturing as a missed opportunity for Kenya.

Dr. Kang’ata was candid about skepticism surrounding investment forums.

“Conferences have a bad name because people talk and nothing happens. But they are still important because they bring stakeholders together and fast-track information exchange,” he said while revealing that up to 75% of the event's funding came from private sponsors, led by Equity Bank, as a demonstration of the importance of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

Governor Dr. Irungu Kang’ata also unveiled the Murang’a County Budget and Economic Council, a high-powered advisory body composed of distinguished professionals from Kenya’s top business and academic institutions.

The council is tasked with guiding the county’s economic planning, investment strategy, and fiscal sustainability agenda in alignment with the county’s broader industrialization goals.

The council members include:

• Jimnah Mbaru – Seasoned investment banker and Chairman of the Economic Council

• Prof. Isaac Macharia – Chairman of Equity Group Holdings

• Dr. Kanyenje Kagombe – Lead, Healthcare Pillar

• Dr. Salome Gitoho – Public health and systems expert

• Prof. Felister Wanjiru Njuguna – Scholar and education policy expert

• Prof. Dickson Nyarigi – Economist and development strategist

• Prof. Zipporah Ng’ang’a – Environmental and sustainability advocate

• Dr. John Mosonik – Infrastructure and transport expert

• Amb. Muthoni Gichohi – Diplomacy and international trade specialist

• Wayne Cook – Global investment and technology advisor

The presence of these influential figures signals a commitment by the county government to tap into global best practices, evidence-based policy-making, and strategic partnerships for economic transformation.

In a passionate presentation at the conference, Dr. James Mwangi, CEO of Equity Group Holdings Limited, revealed that Murang’a County leads the country in tea and avocado production, with farmers in the county earning Sh18 billion from tea alone in 2024.

He further noted that Murang’a ranks second nationally in both macadamia and coffee production, making it a critical anchor in Kenya’s agricultural economy.

Dr. Mwangi also lauded the region’s strong infrastructure network and energy availability, which he said make it uniquely positioned for agro-industrial expansion.

“We have robust road infrastructure across Murang’a and the entire Mt. Kenya region,” he said. “Power is readily accessible through the Seven Forks hydropower scheme, giving us the ability to industrialize using clean, green energy.”

He emphasized that the time is ripe for Murang’a to scale its agricultural value chains and position itself as a national model for agro-industrial development.

“Murang’a ticks all the boxes and is ready for industrialization. Assign me the role of leading agro-processing efforts—I will mobilize financial institutions, and with Equity Bank at the forefront, we will pool resources to drive this transformation,” he declared, addressing President William Ruto, who was in attendance.

In his address, the President responded affirmatively, saying:

“I want to commend the County Government of Murang’a for putting up this conference. It is important to showcase the potential in every county. James Mwangi has made a passionate case for Murang’a and I want to tell you that you are preaching to the converted.”

However, President Ruto also offered a word of caution to the county leadership regarding uncontrolled land fragmentation. He urged them to embrace affordable housing as a strategy for land consolidation, warning that if unchecked, continued subdivision of land could threaten Murang’a’s dominance in the production of tea, macadamia, and avocados in the future.

Laying the Groundwork for Investment

To create a conducive environment for investment, the county has undertaken significant reforms and initiatives:

Healthcare: The Kang’ata Care health insurance scheme now covers over 160,000 people which translates to about 16% of Murang’a’s population. The county has expanded healthcare infrastructure, introduced telemedicine, and ensured all facilities are well stocked.

“We’ve made healthcare accessible and affordable—even to those who can’t raise Sh200 for bus fare,” the Governor noted.

Smart City Program: Murang’a is upgrading nine town centres—one in each constituency—to improve business efficiency and livability.

Agribusiness: The Inua Mkulima Initiative comes with a Smart Card that provides Sh2,400 in quarterly subsidies to mango and dairy farmers, redeemable at approved vendors for farm inputs and food items. In the long run, the common Mwananchi will be able to pay school fees, and medical expenses using the very card.

“This presents an opportunity for investors to partner with farmers in contract production, as seen with Kenya Breweries’ sorghum model,” Kang’ata explained.

Education: The Inua Masomo initiative funds top-ten students in public day secondary schools from Form 2 to Form 4. “It’s transparent and promotes healthy academic competition,” the Governor said.

Youth Empowerment: The Murang’a Youth Service recruits 30 youths from each of the 35 wards every month. They earn daily wages of up to Sh400 for cleaning towns for two months and later receive vocational training, and are given Sh15,000 start-up capital to launch small businesses upon graduating.

Revenue Automation: Own-source revenue has doubled in two years—from Sh520 million to Sh1.1 billion—thanks to automated systems and rigorous monitoring.

Digital Governance: The county has internally developed and deployed multiple digital platforms—including HR, health records, land management, and a supplier portal—through a software engineering department staffed by locally scouted tech talent from institutions of higher learning like Kabarak University.

Market Infrastructure: New markets have been constructed and mapped per constituency to enhance trade.

Renewable Energy: Solarization of public facilities is underway to cut electricity costs.

“Murang’a is not only ready for investment; its people, systems, and leadership are aligned with investor needs,” said Dr. Kang’ata.

Flagship Investment: Murang’a Industrial Park

A central feature of the investment drive is the 1,300-acre Murang’a Industrial Park, formerly owned by Del Monte. Of this, 500 acres have been designated for the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in partnership with the national government, while the remaining 800 acres comprise the county-run Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Key components include:

• MediCity: 75 acres for healthcare-related investments

• Tech and Innovation Hub: 23 acres

• Light and Heavy Industries: 276 acres

• County Aggregation Park: 29 acres

• SME Land Parcels: Over 20 parcels for small-scale manufacturers

Investors will be granted long-term leases (up to 30 years), with job creation, financial strength, and sectoral focus being key considerations for site allocation. Development must begin within a year of lease approval.

“Our goal is to attract investors who create jobs and drive inclusive economic growth. The more jobs you create, the more likely you are to be allocated land,” the Governor said.

Investment Incentives

Murang’a County offers a one-stop-shop for business registration, tax incentives, and joint venture opportunities with the county government. Investors in EPZ and SEZ zones enjoy 10-year corporate tax holidays, duty-free imports, and access to domestic and international markets under AfCFTA and EU-Kenya agreements.

With a GDP growth rate of 6.2%—above the national average—Murang’a ranks among Kenya’s most prosperous counties and boasts a 93% literacy rate, one of the highest in the country.

The Clarion Call

Governor Kang’ata urged investors to act swiftly as Murang’a’ is a strategic location with skilled workforce, and agro-resources that make it the ideal destination for transformative investment.

“Our industrial park alone can create 50,000 direct jobs. As you come to invest in Murang’a, know that our people, locality, and thinking are ready for you,” he said.

Interested parties are invited to submit Expressions of Interest via www.muranga.go.ke on or before the August 14, 2025 deadline.

The event was graced by a host of high-profile dignitaries, including Cabinet Secretary for Lands Alice Wahome, Kisii Governor Simba Arati, development partners, senior government officials, and key industry players—all affirming the strategic importance of Murang’a in Kenya’s investment future.