Fostering Agro-Industrial Growth in Kiambu County: A Bottom-Up Approach to Industrialization and Economic Transformation

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Published Jul 21, 2025
https://doi.org/10.71064/spu.amjr.10.1.2025.393
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Vol. 10 No. 1 (2025): African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research

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Julius Kahuthia
St. Paul's University
Wanjiru Karanja
County Government of Kiambu

Abstract

This study investigated the economic viability, infrastructure readiness, and employment potential of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) in Kiambu County, Kenya, within the framework of agglomeration economies theory. This theory posits that clustering related industries in a common location leads to reduced transaction costs, shared infrastructure, and enhanced innovation all essential for accelerating agro-industrialization. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative and quantitative techniques to offer a comprehensive analysis of CAIPs as a vehicle for economic transformation under Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The target population included county government officials, agro-processors, farmer cooperatives, local community leaders, and development partners. A purposive sampling technique was employed to select 40 participants who had direct involvement or interest in the planning and implementation of CAIPs. Data were collected through field visits, structured stakeholder interviews, infrastructure assessments, and a review of policy documents and feasibility studies. Quantitative findings revealed that infrastructure readiness remains a key challenge, with road networks, electricity, and water supply receiving an average score of 2.6 out of 5 across surveyed sites. Employment projections indicated the potential creation of approximately 4,500 jobs both direct and indirect across high-value agricultural value chains such as coffee, tea, avocado, banana, dairy, and vegetables. These value chains were identified as having significant potential for value addition through agro-processing. The study concludes that while CAIPs have strong potential to stimulate rural industrialization and increase farmer incomes, their success hinges on strategic investment in infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. Key policy recommendations include strengthening public-private partnerships, streamlining land acquisition processes, and enhancing access to financing. These findings provide a practical roadmap for optimizing the implementation of CAIPs, contributing to sustainable economic transformation in Kiambu County and serving as a model for replication in other regions.

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How to Cite
Kahuthia, J., & Karanja, W. (2025). Fostering Agro-Industrial Growth in Kiambu County: A Bottom-Up Approach to Industrialization and Economic Transformation. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 10(1), 174–196. https://doi.org/10.71064/spu.amjr.10.1.2025.393

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