President William Ruto has issued an order to the Ministry of Land to revoke title deeds of all land in Athi River that have remained undeveloped over the past 10 years.
Speaking during the launch of Square Pharmaceuticals Kenya at the Export Processing Zones (EPZ) in Athi River, the Head of State noted that that the move would leave room for development of the land.
Further, Ruto noted that because of that decision, there was an extra 250 acres of land that will be used for development at the EPZ.
“I have already given very clear instructions to the management here of EPZ that all speculators, people who have held titles to pieces of land here for 10, 15, 20, 30 years here without developing them to be revoke.
“We can give pieces of land to people who want to use this facility. I am informed that we now have an extra 250 acres of land that were originally occupied by speculators,’ he stated.
Moreover, the president stated that the pieces of land would be used for manufacturing of various materials for exportation.
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“They are now out of this place, and we can bring additional pieces of land and additional space into the manufacturing space here in EPZ Athi River,” he added.
Ruto Gives Additional Orders on Portland Land
At the same time, Ruto ordered that part of land previously belonging to Portland cement be allocated for manufacturing activities at the EPZ.
“We have now been cleared by the courts on the lands that was adjacent to EPZ, the land that belonged to Portland cement.
“My instructions are we will take either 1000 or 1,500 acres of that land and make it part of EPZ here in Athi river,” Ruto added.
According to the head of state, the land will create more space for international investors who want to set up shop in Kenya.
“We can create more space for more companies to set camp in Kenya in Athi river and give ourselves an opportunity to manufacture more products pharmaceuticals.
“Furniture, steel, cement and all other facilities that are necessary for us to manufacture locally as we expand our exports because that is what is important to us as a country,” he noted.
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Orders on Water provision and Lowering Electricity Prices
President Ruto also ordered for a reduction in tariffs for the electricity used at all Special economic Zones in the country.
He stated that the move will ensure a good working environment for investors in the manufacturing space.
Additionally, he assured investors that the water shortage experienced in Athi River would be resolved by completing the construction of the Northern Collector Tunnel.
“It was brought to my attention that the residents are facing challenges in accessing water, so I have given orders to the Ministry of Water to ensure the Northern Collector Tunnel engaged in its construction is completed.
“We are at the tail end and working on a dedicated pipeline to Athi River so that residents and companies have access to support manufacturing in this space,” he noted.
