Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero and Diarietou Gaye, World Bank country director in Nairobi. Photo/Salaton Njau
Nairobi County plans to offer free land to foreign investors seeking to set up businesses, Governor Evans Kidero has said. A land bank will be created and free plots allocated to those interested in building manufacturing plants or other employment-creating ventures.
“We are going to make land available in Nairobi and as a governor, I assure you that we are going to create land banks for investors who come; we will make available land for free,” Dr Kidero said.
The Nairobi governor said counties present investment opportunities for both local and foreign investors for improving the economic wellbeing of residents of the devolved governments.
“The new Constitution created 47 counties which are separate governments independent of central government but interdependent. The main reason for devolution is to ensure we take services to the people,” he told a forum in Nairobi bringing together investors from Mauritius.
The two-day trade and investment forum was organised by Enterprise Mauritius.
He pointed out the huge market that Kenya offers in terms of travel and communication makes it ideal for investment. Dr Kidero invited Mauritius entrepreneurs to invest in the sugar industry which has huge potential for growth in Coast, Western and Nyanza provinces.
“I know your sugar is done on irrigation. We have a beautiful project in Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority (Tarda) and we are looking for partnership so that we can develop the sugar sector,” he said.
The governor said in western Kenya, where he had opportunity to work in the sugar sector, there is great potential for investment in Nzoia and Mumias sugar belt.
“I know the Mauritius sugar industry is bigger than Kenya as you produce 630,000 metric tonnes of sugar and export everything. I know you also import 500,000 metric tonnes that you consume. Kenya is endowed with land and you have opportunity to invest in our sugar belt,” he told the investors.
Luis Ame’de’e Darga, the Enterprise Mauritius chairman said his country will continue to explore opportunities, noting the entry of Omnicane which acquired a 25 per cent stake in the Kwale International Sugar Company (Kiscol) project.
Ominicane acquired the stake in Kiscol for $20 million (Sh1.7 billion) and recently said its plantation and factory is to start production of sugar by 2014. Dr Kidero told foreign entrepreneurs to take advantage of the availability of land in the western part of Kenya for cotton growing.
“I know you have export processing zones in your country but you don’t grow cotton. We have over five million acres where we can grow cotton and if you come and establish industries here, we can assure that more cotton than you can ever consume,” he said.
He also extended invitation to other Mauritian firms which have not partnered with local financial institutions to invest in the banking industry where opportunities exist.
The governor said whereas Mauritius is known for high-end tourism, there is need for Air Mauritian to partner with Kenya to increase the current three weekly flights between Nairobi and Port Louis.
