KITUI, Kenya — The Kitui County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) is nearing a critical milestone, with construction now 48pc complete, positioning the project as a key driver of agro-industrial growth in the region.
According to Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo, the park is expected to reshape Kitui’s economy by shifting it from subsistence farming to agro-industry and value addition.
He said the State Department for the Interior and National Administration is providing steady field-level coordination and oversight to keep the project on track.
The CAIP was launched in 2025 by President William Ruto as part of the government’s national industrialisation and value-addition agenda. Once complete, the facility will anchor agricultural processing and manufacturing activities within the county.
Dr Omollo said the park already shows tangible benefits. Construction activities have created direct employment for about 50 workers on site, offering early economic relief as the project takes shape.
The industrial park will feature eight modern godowns designed to support aggregation, storage, and processing of agricultural produce. Officials say this infrastructure will reduce post-harvest losses and improve supply chain efficiency for local farmers.
The project targets value addition for key crops grown in Kitui, including maize, beans, pigeon peas, and cassava. By processing these commodities locally, the county aims to increase farmer earnings and retain more value within the local economy.
Government officials say the park is designed to link farmers directly with processors, investors, and exporters. This model is expected to expand market access, stabilise prices, and encourage private sector investment in agro-processing.
“The goal is to move Kitui beyond subsistence farming and into competitive agricultural industrialisation,” Dr Omollo said in a statement.
The CAIP aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which prioritises agro-industrialisation, job creation, and regional equity.
County aggregation and industrial parks are being rolled out across the country to support decentralised manufacturing and rural development.
Administrators from the Interior Ministry continue to engage local leaders and stakeholders to ensure smooth implementation. Officials say this coordination has helped align community expectations with project timelines and delivery targets.
Once operational, the park is expected to create quality manufacturing jobs, attract new investment and position Kitui as a regional hub for agricultural value addition.
The government says the project will play a long-term role in boosting food security, incomes, and industrial growth in the county.
