Murang'a plans 1,400-acre industrial city more than three times the size of Nairobi CBD
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Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata has unveiled a plan to build a 1,400-acre industrial city, more than three times the size of Nairobi's 350-acre central business district, by leasing land to manufacturers at Ksh 7 million an acre.
Murang'a County is developing a 1,400-acre industrial city near Del Monte that Governor Irungu Kang'ata says will be larger than Nairobi's central business district, anchored on leasing serviced land to manufacturers. Nairobi's CBD sits on about 350 acres, according to the governor.
"The main investment is the industrial city near Del Monte, where we are giving one acre at Ksh.7 million. The true value is about Ksh.35 million per acre. It's planned and secure, and 60 percent is already booked," Kang'ata said during the second Murang'a Investment Dinner in Nairobi. He said investors would receive 99-year leases on planned land, and that the county has raised Ksh 120 million from activities at the Murang'a Industrial Park.
County records show 500 acres have been allocated to an Export Processing Zone managed by the Export Processing Zones Authority, with the county retaining leverage over 10 percent of that land, or 50 acres. A further 800 acres is earmarked for a Special Economic Zone comprising a 75-acre MediCity, 276 acres of light, medium and heavy industries, a 23-acre technology and innovation hub, a 43-acre commercial hub, a 10-acre stadium and a 57-acre recreational area. Other allocations include 22 acres for affordable housing, 16 acres for schools, 12 acres for housing, 2.6 acres for a market and 134 acres for roads, sewer, water, internet and power.
In June the county issued 44 allotment letters for 99-year leases, with works already under way. Allottees include Absolute Healthcare Services, Top Pork, KenAgro Industries, Ashland Traders Limited, Pelican Metal and Joska Enterprises, while Promotto and MEDS Health are still onboarding. The county is to receive 10 percent of corporate tax for the first 10 years of operation, 15 percent for the next 10 years and 30 percent thereafter.
"I do not know of any country that has become rich without manufacturing. It is in the interest of Murang'a and Kenya to create more manufacturing jobs so that when we go to the world market our products are more competitive and create better value," Kang'ata said. The Murang'a Investment project began in 2025 as a smart-city initiative, and this year's forum focused on agro-industrial parks and value addition for avocado, tea, coffee, macadamia and milk. The county assembly is considering a bill to establish an autonomous authority to manage the industrial park and introduce county-specific incentives.