The State has granted Centum Investment Company a permit to run a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Vipingo, Kilifi, cementing the coastal region's dominance as a host of such hubs meant to drive economic growth through exports and job creation.
Trade Cabinet secretary Salim Mvurya said Centum has been granted a permit to operate an SEZ, pushing the number of SEZs licenced in the coast region to 10 out of the 39 cleared nationwide this year.
"I am delighted to inform you that the Vipingo land situated in Kilifi County...has been approved as a Special Economic Zone," said Mr Mvurya.
SEZs are special areas designated within a country with different business and trade regulations.
They are normally established to facilitate rapid economic growth and development in certain geographic regions.
While presiding over the Kilifi County International Investment Conference, President William Ruto said yesterday Kilifi has steadily evolved into a hub for thriving Export Processing Zone (EPZ) enterprises.
President Ruto said through modernised infrastructure, thriving EPZs, and SEZs, Kilifi County has demonstrated the power of devolution to deliver real, tangible, and transformative outcomes.
"Notable firms include Nuts and More Processing (EA) Ltd, which employs 405 workers to process cashew nuts for export, Kenya Tropical Sea Life EPZ Ltd, employing 31 Kenyans to export exotic and ornamental marine fish, Fuhua Kenya EPZ Ltd, producing knitted fabrics and undergarments with 747 employees and Mega Apparel Industries Kenya Ltd, manufacturing woven clothing and providing jobs for 3,309 people Kilifi has proved to be an economic hub in the country," he said.
The President said devolution has provided a unique opportunity and the capacity to empower our grassroots by unlocking untapped socio-economic potential with Kilifi County exemplifying the promise and making bold strides to establish itself as an investment, industrial, and commercial hub.
“The Vipingo Free Trade Zone, part of a 6,000-acre master-plan development, is a transformative investment initiative developed through a partnership between Centum PLC, a publicly listed company with over 36,000 shareholders, and Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms,” he said.
