County Government of Laikipia

The County Government of Laikipia has listed 79 made-in-Laikipia products under its preferential procurement.

This means government departments will buy these products only if they are made in the county.

Finance executive committee member Murungi Ndai has sought the approval of the cabinet to give preferential procurement to the 79 made-in-Laikipia products.

The aim is to help local industries achieve economies of scale which will bolster their competitiveness. The initiative will raise Laikipia's productivity by promoting the utilization of local resources.

China was an economic underdog that could not compete with countries such as USA and Germany. But it started by manufacturing goods and protecting its manufactures such that no one would have bought any products and sold in China if it wasn't being manufactured in the country. CECM Finance Murungi Ndai said.

The move will create synergy and create job opportunities. There is a need to grow the manufacturing sector by increasing the consumption of local goods to create wealth and higher incomes. This falls within the strategy of Buy Laikipia, Build Laikipia.

The plan is to protect our local manufactured products. There is a need for deliberate efforts to protect enterprises and manufacturers. The items in the list must not be bought outside Laikipia and if they are bought, you as an accounting officer must explain why. This is the only way that we can revive the economy. Mr. Ndai said.

Laikipia has a robust innovation and enterprise development program which is currently supporting 1,500 SMEs to scale up their production.

Many enterprises have benefited from county support in terms of access to working capital, training, and linkages. Laikipia Innovation and Enterprise Development (LIEDP) has ensured that enterprises are handheld with around 200 business development officers assisting them.

The county has also been creating an enabling environment that allows businesses to thrive exponentially. Among the items are culverts for road work, food, and apparel for hospitals.

Others are: Metallic Gates, Doors, Windows, Chairs, Tent and Chairs, Farm Machinery, Maize Driers, Khaki Packing Bags, non-wooven packaging bags, staff badges, ECDE Learning Materials, branded notebooks, desk; two-way, straight desks, L-shape office desk, office tables, office chairs, wooden pen holders, among others.

For service providers, they must be able to use 70% of local content.

The person who will bring the items in this list should prove they are manufactured here in Laikipia by producing a certificate of origin and manufacturer's trading license, for these items. We will not pay any fee outside Laikipia. the CECM said.

The department of finance is setting out guidelines that will be used in the program such a rebates and subsidies.

This procurement plan is likely to trigger increased investment in Laikipia as entrepreneurs seek to take advantage of this list to produce more high-quality goods for the local market.

The county has also been at the forefront of promoting the use of locally available materials to produce goods that will propel the establishment of industries.

Enhancing the access of goods made in Laikipia will entice their consumption and their market access by promoting the Laikipia's brands. This will be a government support program that seeks to create local jobs by providing assistance to manufacturing enterprises. In the long term, it will inject momentum for sustained commercial and industrial growth in Laikipia.