The influx of the Chinese in the Country has been a bother to many Kenyans and political leaders but one leader who seem certainly un-bothered and unmoved with the concerns of Kenyans include Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi.
The Governor is instead encouraging more Chinese in the country but has this time directed them to go to his county of Meru. In a bid to source for investments, Kiraitu has promised Chinese investors free land as he seeks to attract investment in agribusiness and the hospitality industry.
Kiraitu has also promised that his county government will also help the foreign investors in acquiring national government licences to fast-track establishment of processing plants in the county.
“Our County will support the Chinese investors in acquiring licences which slow down foreign investment. We will also provide free land and an educated labour force to support the investments,” Mr Murungi said.
Speaking when he met a delegation from China’s Anhui Province led by deputy governor Zhou Xi’an, Mr Murungi said his administration would support investors in macadamia processing, packaging and construction of hotels in Meru National Park.
Mr Xi’an said the Anhui province was taking advantage of the outcomes of the Kenya-China agreements over the China International Imports Exhibition.
The two countries recently signed a memorandum of understanding on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) giving Kenya’s fresh produce access to the Chinese market.
“China has now opened its domestic market to foreign investment more than ever before. We can partner with Meru in providing high quality goods to the Chinese market. We are glad that Meru County is giving priority to local development as well as foreign investment,” Mr Xian said.
Governor Murungi said they were keen on attracting Chinese investors who will not only process agricultural produce but also have access to the China market.
He noted that while Meru is a major producer of macadamia, China has a big market hence the partnership with Anhui province would see farmers reap more benefits.
Governor Murungi also said that is government was looking for potential Chinese Investors that would help it come up with a world-class hotel that will benefit from the influx of tourists at the Meru National Park.
“Meru National Park is a unique tourist attraction but we lack hotel space. We are looking for a Chinese investor to put up a hotel and attract Chinese tourists to Meru,” the governor said.
Do you support Kiraitu’s attempts to promote Development in Meru by involving the Chinese?