- Ruto launches Chelimo Special Economic Zone in Kericho.
- The SEZ is expected to boost tea processing, value addition and manufacturing.
- The project is projected to create more than 10,000 jobs for youth.
Tea Board of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Willy Mutai joined President William Ruto on Saturday, September 12, 2026, as the Head of State launched construction of the Chelimo Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kericho County.
The launch took place during the President’s development tour of the county, one of Kenya’s leading tea-growing regions.
The SEZ presents a significant opportunity to strengthen Kericho’s agricultural and tea value chains by creating an environment for agro-processing, manufacturing, technology and value addition.
For the tea sector specifically, the development opens a path beyond the traditional production and export of bulk tea into blending, packaging, branding, specialty tea products and other value-added offerings. Kenya’s tea industry has identified special economic zones as a key avenue for promoting processing and branding, while leveraging investment incentives to make Kenyan tea more competitive in global markets.
READ:
Beyond tea, the SEZ will host businesses spanning agro-industry, food and animal feeds, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology and business process outsourcing. These sectors are expected to create linkages with the wider agricultural and manufacturing ecosystem in the region.
The project is also projected to generate more than 10,000 employment opportunities for young people in Kericho. It is expected to open new pathways for youth to participate in manufacturing, technology, logistics, agro-processing and other emerging opportunities within the value chain.
By Benedict Aoya
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
