President Uhuru Kenyatta’s industrialisation plan in the Big Four agenda has been thrown into disarray following the near-death of Special Economic Zones. The trade hubs were to be established in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Makueni and Nakuru but none has been operationalised since roll-out in 2016. But Martin Wambora, the chairman of the Council of Governors Trade committee, told senators on Thursday that taxpayers are yet to get value for money from the investment into the hubs. Wambora told the Senator Charles Kibiru-led committee the disconnect between the national and county governments over the SEZs is to blame for the zero activities. In Mombasa, a committee comprising the Ministry of Trade, Kenya Ports Authority and Mombasa county, which was formed to steer the work is inactive.

Source: The Star March 16, 2019 03:56 UTC