Ministry commissions Sh375m water project to boost Kinanie Leather Industrial Park
GLORIA GICHERU-PCO
The Government has commissioned the Sh375 million Kinanie Leather Industrial Park Water Supply Project in Machakos County, marking a step toward the full operation alisation of Kenya’s flagship leather manufacturing hub.
The project comprises two boreholes, a 25-kilo metre transmission pipeline connected to the Mavoko water supply system, and an internal reticulation network serving the industrial park.
The system currently deliv ers about 1.3 million litres of water daily, with infra structure designed to expand capacity to meet growing demand and sustain up to 36 leather manufacturing firms.
The project, undertaken by the Ministries of Invest ments, Trade and Industry and Water, Sanitation and Irrigation in collaboration with key stakeholders, is expected to accelerate investment in the leather value chain, create jobs and enhance the country’s man ufacturing competitiveness.
The completion of the water infrastructure removes one of the last hurdles to the park’s operationalisa tion. With reliable water now available, the Kinanie Leather Industrial Park (KLIP) is poised to attract leather manufacturers, promote value addition, and position Kenya as a regional hub for leather processing and production.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Principal Secretary for Water and Sanitation Julius Korir described the project as the realisation of a vision conceived in 2014 to establish a modern leather industrial park capable of transforming Kenya’s leather industry.
He noted that while roads and electricity had already been provided, water remained the critical enabler for leather processing and manufacturing.
“The Kinanie Leather Industrial Park is now ready for investors. Water was one of the essential requirements and we have delivered it. We urge our colleagues in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry to accel erate investor uptake so the park can begin delivering jobs and economic growth,” said Korir.
Korir further highlighted that the Ministry is implementing water projects worth approximately Sh3.7 billion across Machakos County, including the Machakos Town Water Supply and Sewerage Project, rehabilitation of Maruba Dam, the Mwala Water Supply Project, and the proposed Uwangoni Dam.
Representing Principal Secretary for Industry Dr. Juma Mukhwana, Director of Field Services Joseph Mbeva said the water project marks a significant milestone in unlocking the economic potential of KLIP.
He emphasised that reliable water supply is indispensable for leather processing, and its availability eliminates a major bottleneck that had delayed full utilisation of the facility.
“With water now available and the access road com pleted, our focus should shift to attracting investors so that the park can begin produc ing leather products, create employment opportunities, and strengthen Kenya’s leather manufacturing industry,” Mbeva said.
He added that the indus trial park is expected to generate thousands of direct and indirect jobs through backward and forward linkages involving livestock farmers, tanneries, leather processors, artisans, and manufacturers of finished leather products.