Proximity to a green power generation plant and its access by both rail and road networks is setting Naivasha as the next big industrial hub in Kenya.
- Pro-sustainability companies are not only eyeing the town to benefit from Menengai and Olkaria geothermal plants energy but are also looking to benefit from SGR line now connecting Naivasha and the Mombasa port.
- Microsoft, Eco-Cloud, and G42 investment group announced they will begin construction of a one-Gigawatt (IGW) Data Center in Naivasha that will serve Africa, powered by green energy.
- The first Japanese car auction in Africa also, on Wednesday, launched its operations in Naivasha’s Special Economic Zone with other five companies led by Basigo (an electric vehicle manufacturing company) also expressing interest in establishing manufacturing plants in Naivasha.
The Japanese car auction will enable buyers purchase vehicles using the Kenya shilling rather than dollars. Competitive bidding will guarantee lower prices enhancing the savings buyers will accrue compared to traditional purchasing and car importation with the expected high demand for vehicle likely to stimulate the vehicle spare parts industry and overall activities in the automotive sector.
Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru County highlighted the zone’s potential to create more than 100,000 job opportunities therefore addressing unemployment and fostering manufacturing growth in the region.
She cited the lower electricity tariff of KSh5 per kilowatt-hour and urged investors to capitalise on the opportunity.
This comes as Cabinet this week approved the purchase of six parcels totaling 11,000 acres of land in Naivasha including 6,000 acres for settling squatters and 5,000 acres for industrial purposes.
Besides Naivasha, the government has also invested heavily in similar economic zones across the country. These are Dongo Kundu in Mombasa, Sagana (Kirinyaga), Thika, Egerton, Eldoret and Busia.
“Our Special Economic Zone programme is coming of age, vindicating its driving vision of mobilising private investment as the primary driver of economic growth in our country,” President William Ruto said.
The SEZ programme, he said, is aimed at increasing employment, growing exports, enhancing supply and boosting Kenya’s foreign exchange earnings.
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