BUSIA, Kenya March 8-Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has welcomed the move by the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) to establish an industrial park at the 843 acres piece of land in Nasewa, in Matayos sub-county.
The project to be undertaken in three phases is expected to be one of Africa’s tech and business hubs offering employment and propelling economic growth and development of Busia County and the country at large.
“The establishment of the Industrial Park at the Nasewa Nucleus Estate will be in line with two of the Big Four Agenda of manufacturing and food security; it will also create employment for unemployed youths in the county,” said Ojaamong.
The land was reverted back to the government from troubled Mumias Sugar and defunct Busia Sugar Company following an eight-year-long advocacy and litigation from activist Okiya Omtatah.
In his response to a letter from EPZ Ag CEO Benjamin Chesang requesting allocation of land for establishment of the park, the Governor said plans are at an advanced stage to reserve the land and also process an application for change of use from Agriculture to Industrial Park.
“We acknowledge receipt of your letter and appreciate you for expressing the interest of developing the industrial park. We accepted the offer. We are proposing to set aside plot No Bukhayo/Nasewa/1500 located in the Nasewa area for the park,” read the letter in part.
To fast-track engagement, already a delegation from the Department of Lands, Housing and Urban Development led by County Executive Committee Member John Mwami, Chief Officers Teresia Mbingi (Lands), Andrew Otiti (Urban Development), County Attorney Justice Anyara Emukule and Chief of Staff Robert Papa visited Lands Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri last week with the intent of pursuing the land to be reverted back to the County.
“The park will easily lower the cost of production that can have a vast advantage in promoting export activity and produce more goods to accommodate the demands of consumers. These will undeniably transform businesses and the economy of the region,” said Mwami.
The EPZ team is expected in the County later this month for a site visit and further engagement.
