Members of the County Assembly have this afternoon directed the County Executive Committee Member in Charge of Trade, Cooperative and Industrialization, to submit an implementation status report for the ongoing County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIPs) development at Sagana.
The CECM, whose department has so far been allocated a total of Kes. 550 Million within the last two financial years, has been directed to submit a comprehensive Sagana Industrial Park Master Plan together with the Sagana Indutrial City Development policy 2024, within 30 days.
Speaking in support of the Motion, Kanyekine Ward MCA Hon. CPA Waziri Moses Maina, urged Members not to allocate an extra budget until a detailed work plan and implementation status is provided within the agreed timelines.
“Mr. Speaker, Kes. 550 Million is a lot of money which is why we must be given detailed information and bank statements detailing how the money has been spent including what the Contractors have been paid” Hon. Moses Maina said.
Tebere Ward MCA Hon. Peter Karinga, was concerned that residents of Tebere Ward have not benefited from the many job opportunities in the industrial park despite an agreement that job opportunities will be shared equitably across the 20 Wards.
“Mr. Speaker, we agreed that job opportunities will be shared equally but it is unfortunate that my people in Tebere are yet to be considered” Hon. Karinga said. He added “I wish to urge the committee on trade to address the issue so that there can be equitable distribution of job opportunities”
Inoi Ward MCA Hon. Fredrick Maina, said that the project will be a game changer to the local economy noting that the expected value addition of agricultural produce, will lead to better prices hence benefit farmers.
Other Members who supported the motion include Hon. Caroline Wanjiku (Karumandi Ward), Hon. Thomas Muriuki (Mukure Ward), Hon. Kenneth Mwendia (Nyangati Ward) with Hon Jane Wangu who was the mover of the motion, observing that the Sagana Agro processing city which comprises of a 75-acre export processing zone and a 154-acre special economic zone, will transform Kirinyaga’s economy by reducing post-harvest losses and stabilizing market prices for farmers