Kiambu County, Kenya, is seeking new partnerships with the European Union in various sectors, including ICT, urban development, trade, and industrialization. This follows high-level bilateral talks between Governor Kimani Wamatangi and an EU delegation led by Dr. Cristina Barrios. The delegation, which included senior member state diplomats, aimed to showcase local investment potential and discuss the impact of Kenya's devolution model.
During the visit, Dr. Barrios noted that the engagement is part of broader EU efforts to strengthen ties with Kenya and gain deeper insights into the impact of county-level governance. She emphasized that the EU and Kenya share a strong foundation in decentralized governance and regional administration. The visit also highlighted Kiambu's development progress over the last four years, with the county showcasing key projects designed to boost local economic growth and refine service delivery.
The EU delegation assessed key investment destinations across Kiambu County, including the Githunguri County Aggregation and Industrial Park and the 325-acre Export Processing Zone located in the soon-to-be-chartered Thika Industrial City. These projects are expected to drive economic growth in trade, ICT, and industrialization. Governor Wamatangi informed the delegation that local revenue collection had grown significantly since he assumed office in 2022, reaching around Sh6.5 billion in own-source revenue.
Governor Wamatangi attributed the growth in local revenue collection to efforts to curb corruption and streamline collection efficiency. He noted that local authorities raise revenue through fees and levies rather than national taxes. The boost in own-source revenue has been reinvested into key public infrastructure, such as modernizing local learning institutions. Kiambu has constructed over 500 learning facilities without national government funding, significantly boosting community education access.
The county is also investing in agriculture and industrialization, with plans to build local markets for smallholder farmers through value addition. The Githunguri County Aggregation and Industrial Park is now 95% complete and will soon serve as a primary hub for processing and marketing local agricultural produce. Governor Wamatangi invited international partners and private investors to participate in the county's rapid industrial expansion and high-potential projects.
Kiambu County aims to solidify its status as a key regional economic hub, with Governor Wamatangi highlighting Thika's imminent elevation to city status. This milestone is expected to be achieved within six months, making it Kenya's sixth city. The transformation, paired with expanding industrial infrastructure, positions Kiambu as a prime destination for international investment and a premier model for decentralized growth in Kenya.
The visit concluded with a positive outlook on future partnerships between Kiambu County and the European Union. With its strong foundation in decentralized governance and regional administration, Kiambu County is well-positioned to attract international investment and drive economic growth in the region. The county's focus on ICT, urban development, trade, and industrialization is expected to yield significant returns in the coming years.
Key points
- Kiambu County has grown its own-source revenue from Sh2.5 billion to Sh6.5 billion since 2022.
- The Githunguri County Aggregation and Industrial Park is 95% complete and will serve as a primary hub for processing and marketing local agricultural produce.
- Thika is expected to be elevated to city status within six months, making it Kenya's sixth city.
