The Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism has summoned the Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry after he failed to appear before the Committee as scheduled. The CS had been invited to provide a comprehensive status update on the implementation of all County Aggregated Industrial Parks across the country.
In its communication to the Ministry, the Committee had outlined several key areas on which it required clarification. These include a detailed status report on the implementation of the County Aggregated Industrial Parks, as well as copies of the feasibility studies conducted for each of the projects.
The Committee also requested submission of Environmental Impact Assessment reports undertaken by the respective counties.
Further, the Cabinet Secretary is expected to explain how the industrial parks will be integrated into a functional and sustainable ecosystem that supports the broader economic agenda. The Committee has also sought a clear governance structure for the management and oversight of the parks.
Additionally, the Ministry is required to confirm whether all counties have established special purpose accounts at the Central Bank into which both the county governments’ contribution of Ksh 250 million and the National Government’s matching allocation of Ksh 250 million have been deposited.
The Committee is also seeking details on the operational framework guiding collaboration between county governments, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry and the Kenya Development Corporation (KDC) in equipping the industrial parks.
Following his absence, the Cabinet Secretary has now been summoned to appear before the Committee on 2nd April, 2025.
By Anthony Solly
