Murang’a County has earned national praise after hosting an investment conference that Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Housing Alice Wahome described as a game changer in Kenya’s pursuit of county-driven economic transformation. Speaking during the event held on June 13, Wahome commended the county leadership for aggressively courting investors and aligning its land management policies with long-term development goals. She emphasized that land remains a foundational asset for industrial growth, noting the national government’s readiness to support counties that prioritize structured and sustainable investment.
The CS highlighted that Murang’a’s development plans are in line with the National Spatial Plan (NSP), which was introduced in 2015 to guide equitable development across the country. According to Wahome, the NSP recognizes Murang’a’s strong agricultural potential and recommends targeted infrastructure to spur manufacturing. She further pointed out existing challenges such as land fragmentation and the need to protect vital forest ecosystems, stressing that coordinated planning between counties and the national government is critical for achieving balanced economic expansion. Wahome revealed that the Ministry of Lands has been working closely with Murang’a officials to plan, survey, and prepare ownership documentation for land earmarked for major industrial projects.
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata used the conference to rally investors, unveiling incentives meant to attract manufacturers and large-scale enterprises to the county’s new industrial park in Makenji, Kenol. He announced that firms setting up in the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) would enjoy a 10-year corporate tax holiday, a similar waiver on withholding tax, and full investment deductions for new projects. Investors targeting the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) were also promised zero-rated taxes on goods and services, stamp duty exemptions, and relief from royalty-related withholding taxes. Kang’ata said these incentives were designed to position Murang’a as a competitive industrial hub that can create jobs and increase the county’s export capacity.
Looking ahead, Wahome noted that the industrial park, upcoming Medi City, ICT hubs, affordable housing units and other urban developments will significantly elevate Murang’a’s economic standing. She added that the strategic placement of the projects along the Thika Superhighway gives investors a logistical advantage. With survey works and title preparation nearing completion, both the county and national governments expressed confidence that the new industrial initiatives will unlock Murang’a’s potential and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s broader economic transformation.