Murang'a Governor Irungu Kang'ata has announced plans for a massive industrial city in his county, expected to position Murang'a as a major manufacturing and commercial centre. The proposed development, near Del Monte, will cover 1,400 acres and feature a master-planned layout with zones for industry, commerce, housing, recreation, and public infrastructure. This project was unveiled at the second Murang'a Investment Dinner, held in Nairobi on September 25, 2026.
The industrial city is structured across Export Processing Zone and Special Economic Zone frameworks, with various designated land uses. The Export Processing Zone covers 500 acres, managed by the Export Processing Zones Authority, while the county retains 50 acres or 10% of the EPZ portion. The remaining 800 acres form the Special Economic Zone, carved into allocations for different sectors such as industry, technology, commerce, and housing.
Governor Kang'ata drew a direct comparison with Nairobi's Central Business District to illustrate the project's scale, stating that the industrial city will be over three times the size of the capital's CBD, which sits on 350 acres. The land is divided into various sectors, including 276 acres for light, medium, and heavy industries, 75 acres for the Murang'a MediCity, and 23 acres for a technology and innovation hub.
Industrial plots in the city are being marketed at KSh 7 million per acre on 99-year leases, significantly below the estimated market value of KSh 35 million per acre. The county is also constructing industrial sheds as part of a plug-and-play model, allowing investors to begin operations within four to five months. Target sectors for investment include agro-processing of avocado, pineapple, tea, coffee, macadamia, and milk.
Six companies have already received 99-year leases at the industrial park, with the county raising KSh 120 million from park activities to date. Companies that received allocations include Absolute Healthcare Services, Top Pork, KenAgro Industries, Ashland Traders Limited, Pelican Metal, and Joska Enterprises. The county will receive 10% of corporate tax from tenants for the first 10 years, rising to 15% for the following decade and 30% thereafter.
The investment programme was initiated in 2025, with early forums attracting primarily local investors. Governor Kang'ata emphasized the importance of manufacturing to Murang'a's economic future, stating that he does not know of any country that has become rich without manufacturing. The County Assembly is currently reviewing a bill to establish an autonomous authority to manage the park.
Key points
- The industrial city will be over three times the size of Nairobi's Central Business District.
- Industrial plots are being marketed at KSh 7 million per acre on 99-year leases.
- The county has raised KSh 120 million from activities at the park to date.
