Kutus: Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI), Lee Kinyanjui, has pledged government support for local industries through the introduction of favorable policies, emphasizing the necessity of value addition and agro-processing for national development. This announcement was made during the commissioning of a new wheat milling machinery plant at Joy Millers Limited in Kutus, Kirinyaga County.
According to Kenya News Agency, the CS highlighted the collaboration between national and county governments in establishing County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIPs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) nationwide, which is expected to bolster the number of local industries. Kinyanjui commended Joy Millers for demonstrating the potential success of indigenous enterprises and underscored the importance of value addition and industrialization for economic growth. He further urged financial institutions to lower interest rates to foster an inclusive economic environment.
The ministry is also formulating a uniform procedure policy aimed at reducing the number of licenses required, alongside eliminating taxes on the importation of industrial equipment and machinery to attract more investors. “If you are importing equipment for any industry like milling, you will not pay any taxes,” Kinyanjui stated, also noting the availability of funding from Kenya Development Corporation at an interest rate as low as 9%.
The CS also encouraged locals to support homegrown products to stimulate job-creating investments. Joy Millers, initially a maize flour processing company, is expanding into wheat milling to cater to market demands both domestically and internationally.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru remarked that the installation of Joy Millers’ new equipment, with a capacity to mill 600 tonnes of wheat daily, is a significant step towards transforming Kirinyaga into an agro-industrial hub. She praised the company’s ongoing investments and reiterated her administration’s dedication to promoting value addition, job creation, and farmer prosperity. Waiguru lauded the socio-economic benefits of the company’s expansion, which directly employs over 1,500 youths and provides indirect opportunities for thousands more.
Waiguru emphasized the county’s readiness for agro-industrial growth, highlighting the county’s agricultural prowess and the global market’s appetite for high-quality, value-added products. She also welcomed future investments, noting the upcoming Sagana EPZ and CAIPs which will feature export processing zones, manufacturing plants, a golf course, a four-star hotel, and affordable housing.
Muranga Governor Irungu Kang’ata, in attendance, noted the market opportunities created by Joy Millers for surplus maize from Muranga County. The county government has initiated a program supplying certified seeds and subsidized fertilizers, resulting in increased maize production. Through an MoU with Joy Millers, Muranga farmers now sell maize at Sh.3500 per 90 kg bag, a significant increase from the previous Sh.2200.
Kang’ata stressed the role of industrialization in development and urged the national government to establish a special fund for affordable capital for manufacturing investors and to streamline the regulatory process.
Julius Chomba, proprietor of Joy Millers Ltd., expressed gratitude towards both government levels for providing a conducive business environment in Kirinyaga County.