Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago. Photo/SoftKenya.
Construction of the first ever private special economic zone in the country is expected to kick off following the signing of a multi-billion shilling deal between the government and a Chinese firm.
President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to preside over the ground breaking ceremony of a Sh200 billion industrial park by Guangdong New South Group Ltd tomorrow at Plateau, some four kilometres from Eldoret town.
The business partnership deal was signed by the government in Beijing in May after Africa Economic Zone (AEZ) was licensed to operate as a special economic zone.
The project will be undertaken in three phases and will drive economic growth, development in Uasin Gishu County and the country at large, and employ youth. In phase one of the project — dubbed AEZ Pearl River — Guangdong New South Group Ltd, will supervise the construction of an industrial park on 700 acres.
It will consist of various industries including agro-processing, energy, machinery, engineering, construction, electronic, ICT, chemical and pharmaceuticals.
Phase two will consist of a science and technology hub sitting on a 86 acres.
It will have a technology park, a university, an IT hub and an incubator to support ICT graduates to develop and commercialise new technology. It will further consist of a convention centre, administrative, residential, recreational and green zones.
Guangdong New South Group is expected to build an Olympia City on 1,000 acres in phase three of the project.
It will comprise of a recreational zone with a stadium and golf course as well as residential homes comprising of three and four bedroom units.
Other features include an administration zone, schools and a social hall, a public library, administration offices, a public square, and gardens.