Ruto Opens Kilifi County International Investment Conference
These SEZs aim to attract foreign and local investments by offering favorable business conditions, including tax incentives and infrastructure development.
President William Ruto opened Kilifi County International Investment Conference.Photo/William Ruto.
Kilifi County, known for its rich cultural heritage and scenic coastlines, played host to the Kilifi County International Investment Conference, officially opened by President William Ruto in Vipingo, Kilifi County.
The event underscored the growing role of counties in driving Kenya’s socio-economic transformation, with a clear focus on fostering investment, unlocking local potential, and creating jobs for Kenyans.
In his address, President Ruto emphasized that counties are no longer mere participants in Kenya’s economic growth, but have become key players in shaping the future of the nation’s development.
“The Kilifi County International Investment Conference is evidence enough that counties are emerging as drivers of our socio-economic transformation,” Ruto stated, highlighting the importance of local governance in attracting investments and boosting economic activities at the grassroots level.
The President also announced significant strides being made in the creation of Export Processing Zones (EPZs) across the country, with flagship zones already in advanced stages of completion.
“To build on this momentum, we are setting up flagship Export Processing Zones in Busia, Eldoret, Murang’a, and Kirinyaga, which are already over 50% complete,” Ruto revealed.
These zones are expected to bolster Kenya’s export capacity and enhance the nation’s competitiveness on the global market.
In addition to the EPZs, the government has also licensed 39 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country, including 10 located along Kenya’s coastline.
These SEZs aim to attract foreign and local investments by offering favorable business conditions, including tax incentives and infrastructure development.
The SEZs are seen as a strategic move to stimulate local economies, drive growth in counties, and create thousands of job opportunities for the youth.
Ruto’s speech highlighted the government’s commitment to unlocking counties’ economic potential by empowering local governments and businesses to tap into new opportunities.
By decentralizing economic development, he stated, the country can achieve more balanced and inclusive growth, ensuring that even remote regions benefit from the nation’s economic progress.
The Kilifi International Investment Conference attracted a wide range of stakeholders, including business leaders, investors, and government officials, all coming together to explore investment opportunities in the region.
Ruto’s leadership in championing county-driven growth was a central theme throughout the event, which is set to catalyze future investments in Kilifi and beyond.
With these ongoing initiatives, the government aims to accelerate the country’s development agenda, positioning counties at the forefront of Kenya’s economic transformation.
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