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Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), a key enabler of Kenya’s industrial and economic transformation, has ushered in a new chapter in its leadership with the appointment of Sylvanus Maritim as the new Chairperson of the Board of Directors.
Maritim officially assumed office on 16th May 2025.
During a special Board meeting held this week, the MSMEs Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni chaired the session where she formally welcomed Maritim and set the tone for a renewed drive toward achieving KIE’s strategic objectives.
His appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Kenya intensifies its push towards inclusive industrialisation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“As the Government advances the establishment of County Industrial Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), KIE is poised to play an instrumental role in their success.” Said PS Mang’eni.
She noted that these parks are a flagship initiative under BETA designed to create accessible industrial spaces for MSMEs in all 47 counties.
“They will provide common-use facilities, incubation support, and shared technical services key ingredients in accelerating the graduation of micro and small enterprises into medium and large-scale enterprises.” PS noted.
KIE’s model of industrial clustering, affordable incubation sheds, and access to long-term development finance will form the backbone of CAIPs.
According to the PS, supporting MSMEs to scale, innovate, and compete regionally and globally, KIE will help increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Kenya’s GDP while driving job creation and rural industrialisation.
Speaking during the meeting, Maritim expressed his gratitude for the trust placed in him and reiterated his commitment to fostering a dynamic, inclusive, and sustainable industrial sector in Kenya.
He pledged to work closely with the Ministry of Co-operatives and MSME Development, KIE Management, county governments, development partners, and the private sector to further the institution’s mandate.
The industrial sector is key to Kenya’s socio-economic transformation.
“Through partnerships, innovation, and strategic support to our MSMEs, we will unlock new growth opportunities, empower our entrepreneurs, and contribute to the realisation of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and beyond.” He said.
