Murang'a readies for first investment conference
Governor Irungu Kang'ata (second, right) receives support towards Muranga Investment Conference from Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi (left) and other officials.
The Murang’a County government is set to host its first ever investment conference on Wednesday in a bid to position the region as an emerging industrial hub.
President William Ruto is expected to open the inaugural Murang’a Investment Conference 2025 at Thika Green Golf Resort.
The conference’s theme is “Unlocking Murang’a as an Industrial Hub”.
The event brings together local and international investors, policymakers, county leaders and sector experts to explore the county’s economic potential.
Equity Bank was yesterday announced as the title sponsor following a Sh15 million sponsorship deal signed between Equity Group CEO Dr James Mwangi and Murang’a Governor Dr Irungu Kang’ata.
“Equity is not just sponsoring this conference—we are investing in the future of the people,” said
Dr. Mwangi.
“This event is about unlocking industrial potential, attracting capital, and supporting
local enterprise. It is well aligned with our purpose of transforming lives, giving dignity and
expanding opportunities for wealth creation.”
Themed “Unlocking Murang’a as an Industrial Hub,” the conference aims to showcase the county’s expanding investment portfolio—ranging from agro-processing and healthcare to technology, education, housing, and manufacturing.
Governor Kang’ata said the county is offering thousands of acres in various locations to investors interested in setting up industries that create jobs and drive economic growth.
“Some of the land has been designated as Export Processing Zones (EPZ) and Special Economic Zones (SEZ), meaning investors can enjoy tax incentives,” said the governor. “We’re also offering fast-tracked licensing and access to key markets and raw materials thanks to our strategic proximity to Nairobi and Thika.”
The county government has identified multiple areas for potential investment, including the County Aggregation Industrial Park, Gikono landfill waste-to-energy project, Murang’a County Creameries Cooperative Union and SME parks.
According to Mr Kang’ata, several investors from the United States and China have already expressed interest in the region.
Murang’a is a leading exporter of avocados and a key player in small-scale tea and coffee production.
“With our agricultural endowment, Murang’a is ideal for agribusiness investments, including value addition, storage and export logistics,” Governor Kang’ata said.
The conference comes days after the launch of a new aggregation and packaging centre in Nga’raria ward, Kandara constituency, aimed at improving post-harvest handling and market access for avocado farmers.
The facility includes a cold storage system and is run by the Murang’a Avocado Farmers’ Cooperative Union which has 5,689 members drawn from 16 affiliate cooperatives.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Kang’ata said the centre would help reduce post-harvest losses and improve farmer earnings.
“This facility is a game-changer for our avocado farmers and a major employment opportunity for youth in Murang’a,” he said.
Farmers welcomed the development, saying it addressed long-standing challenges around market structures and pricing.
“I’ve been growing avocados for over ten years, with more than 100 trees,” said Purity Mwihaki from Gikuu village, an ECDE teacher and MAVOC member. “There was a time we sold one fruit for just Sh3. Now, through the cooperative, we earn Sh80 per kilo. With the new facility, we expect that to go up to Sh100 or more. It gives us dignity and fair returns.”
The county is banking on such value-chain interventions, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic partnerships to boost investor confidence and catalyze job creation.
Governor Kang’ata emphasised that Murang’a’s transformation into an industrial hub would be anchored in agriculture, infrastructure and access to affordable capital.
“We are aligning our strategy with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and this conference is a step toward making Murang’a a key driver of inclusive growth,” he said.