Kang’ata Reveals Bold Plan for Industrial City Bigger Than Nairobi

Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata at the Murang’a Governor’s Investment Dinner on Friday, September 25, 2026.

Murang’a County Governor Irungu Kang’ata has announced an ambitious strategy to establish a new planned industrial city spanning 1,400 acres. The project aims to drive economic revitalization and boost regional manufacturing by attracting both local and international investors.

Speaking at the second Murang’a Investment Dinner in Nairobi, Kang’ata highlighted the scale of the proposed hub in comparison to Kenya’s capital.

“The vision of Murang’a is to create another city larger than Nairobi,” Kang’ata said. “The Nairobi CBD sits on 350 acres. Now our industrial city is 1400 acres; therefore, we will have a bigger city if our dream is realized.”

Located near Del Monte, the industrial development relies on leasing land to manufacturers under 99-year terms to ensure long-term stability for businesses. To attract investors, the county government is offering land at Ksh 7 million per acre despite a true market value of Ksh 35 million per acre. Currently, 60% of the available land is already booked.

“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% is already booked,” he said.

So far, activities at the Murang’a Industrial Park have reportedly generated Ksh 120 million, providing additional revenue for local infrastructure and county programs.

In June, the county issued 44 allotment letters for 99-year leases, with several investors already undertaking development works. Early allocations include Absolute Healthcare Services, Top Pork, KenAgro Industries, Ashland Traders Limited, Pelican Metal, and Joska Enterprises, while Promotto and MEDS Health are currently in the onboarding process.

Zoning and Infrastructure Breakdown

The total development is divided between an Export Processing Zone covering 500 acres and a Special Economic Zone covering 800 acres. The Export Processing Zone portion is managed by EPZA, though the county retains direct leverage over 10% of that area, equaling 50 acres.

Within the Special Economic Zone, allocations include 276 acres for light, medium, and heavy industries, 134 acres for infrastructure like roads, sewer, water, internet, and power, and 75 acres for Murang’a MediCity. Additional zoning includes 57 acres for recreational areas, 43 acres for a commercial hub, 23 acres for a technology and innovation hub, 22 acres for affordable housing, 16 acres for schools, 12 acres for general housing, 10 acres for a stadium, 3 acres for a bus station, and 2.6 acres for a market.

The remaining acreage will house National and County Government institutions.

The project focuses heavily on agro-industrial development and value addition for core county agricultural products, including avocado, tea, coffee, macadamia, and milk. Governor Kang’ata expressed confidence that local manufacturing remains essential for long-term prosperity.

“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,” he said.

Under the financial terms, the county will receive 10% corporate tax for the first 10 years after operations begin, 15% for the next 10 years, and 30% in subsequent years. The County Assembly of Murang’a is currently considering a bill to establish an autonomous authority to manage the industrial park and create other county-specific incentives.

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