Naivasha Special Economic Zone attracts a new investor

Written by Mercy Kihugu and James Munyua

A food processing factory is under construction at the Naivasha Special Economic Zone, heralding value addition and a ready market for farm produce in Nakuru County.

The breaking ground for the construction of the Crystal Chillers and Frozen Foods factory also guaranteed jobs to hundreds of youths in Naivasha Sub County as well as adding to the number of investors pitching camp at the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry Salim Mvurya emphasized the factory’s potential to add value to agricultural products, particularly potatoes vegetables and French beans. This will greatly reduce food wastage. He added that eleven other companies have been given licenses to set up shop at the SEZ and will be breaking ground soon.

CS Mvurya further added that the government is committed to creating a conducive environment for investment, innovation, and sustainable growth noting that over the past few years, it has implemented a series of reforms to improve the ease of doing business in our country.

These reforms include simplifying business registration processes, enhancing access to credit, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and modernizing our infrastructure to support efficient trade and logistics.

This has led to Kenya consistently improving its ranking in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index, and forging ahead to become a preferred destination for both local and international investors.

On his part, Deputy Governor David Kones, representing Governor Susan Kihika, highlighted the project’s positive impact on local employment and the provision of a much-needed market for agricultural produce, especially Potatoes.

He also directed the formation of a Liaison Committee to ensure that the local community benefits from the job opportunities created by the factory.

He added that the launch of the Crystal Chillers and Food Processing Ltd factory is timely and aptly fits in the value chains of the food crops our farmers produce across the County.

“Nakuru is a leading producer in potato farming in Kenya with approximately 75,000 farmers in nine Sub-counties producing more than 20,007 tons per year. I expect that this factory will contribute towards the stabilization of producer prices which range between Kshs1,500 per bag during the glut season (February, July, and August) and Kshs2,500 during the periods of scarcity (October, April, and Many),” he said

Nakuru County was able to produce 31,255 tonnes of vegetables worth Kshs 11,384,606,000.

In Njoro Sub-county, carrots are estimated to be planted in an area of 346 HA, producing 12448 tonnes that generated KSh. 186,720,000 in 2020. Out of this, 98 per cent was from Mau Narok ward while two per cent was from other wards.

Further, the county government, through the provision of avocado seedlings and capacity building of farmers, the processing factory will act as a catalyst to increase farming in the respective crops by providing a ready market.

The launch of this facility marks a significant milestone for the Naivasha SEZ, demonstrating its ability to attract investors and drive the economic growth of Nakuru County. This is the third investor at the SEZ after TAD Motors inaugurated a new Electric Vehicles assembly plant in July.

Principal Secretary, Investment Promotion Abubakar Hassan, Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, County Executives, John Kihagi (Lands), Leonard Bor (Agriculture), Stephen Kuria (Trade), Eliud Kamau MCA Mai Mahiu, Naivasha SEZ, CEO Kenneth Chelule, County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara, Representatives from USAID and Egerton University among others were also present.