Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has revealed his strategic plan to turn global trade tensions between China and the United States into an economic opportunity for his county.
By tapping into the ongoing trade war between the two superpowers, Kang’ata hopes to attract Chinese manufacturers to relocate their operations to Murang’a and Kenya at large, while also building strong economic ties with the U.S., particularly in the health sector.
Speaking during a live interview on Citizen TV on Sunday night, Governor Kang’ata explained that the ongoing tariff war between the U.S. and China has created a unique window of opportunity for African nations to position themselves as new industrial and manufacturing destinations.
“Right now, China is the world’s largest manufacturer,” Kang’ata said. “But due to the rising tariffs imposed by the United States—the biggest market globally—many Chinese manufacturers are now seeking to move their factories outside China.
Africa, and especially Kenya, can benefit from this shift. Murang’a County is positioning itself as the best location for these manufacturers to set up shop.”
Kang’ata believes that Kenya’s favorable trade environment, combined with Murang’a’s strategic location, available workforce, and supportive government policies, make the county an ideal investment hub.
He stressed that Murang’a is not only ready to host foreign industries but also eager to become a preferred destination for Chinese manufacturers who are looking for new markets with lower operational costs.
In addition to attracting Chinese investors, the governor also shared his vision of establishing meaningful partnerships with the United States. He highlighted ongoing efforts to engage with American institutions in order to improve the county’s health infrastructure.
This includes plans to venture into local production of pharmaceutical products and the development of modern nursing homes.
“As a county, we’re exploring areas of cooperation with the U.S. to improve our healthcare sector,” Kang’ata stated. “This includes establishing manufacturing plants for medical products and nursing care facilities, which will not only enhance services but also create job opportunities for our youth.”
According to the governor, Murang’a has already taken steps to lay the groundwork for these partnerships.
His deputy, Stephen Munania, and the County Assembly Speaker, Johnson Mukuha, recently visited the United States to engage with potential investors and discuss collaborative opportunities, especially in health care.
The move comes as trade relations between the U.S. and China have remained rocky for months. After weeks of escalating tariff exchanges that saw levies reach up to 145 percent, both nations reached a temporary truce in May.
The U.S. agreed to lower tariffs on Chinese goods to 30 percent, while China cut duties on American products to 10 percent and agreed to ease restrictions on the export of key minerals. Kang’ata believes these developments could accelerate Chinese interest in shifting their production bases abroad.
Meanwhile, the Murang’a County government is not relying solely on foreign manufacturers. Governor Kang’ata is also looking to boost local industries by adding value to agricultural exports.
Murang’a is already a national leader in the export of several crops—it ranks as the top exporter of avocados, second in coffee exports, and leads the country in small-scale tea production.
“Our goal is to process and add value to these crops locally before exporting them,” Kang’ata said. “By doing this, we will earn more from the global market and create sustainable jobs for our people.”
As part of this ambitious plan, Murang’a will be hosting its first-ever Investment Conference on June 13 and 14, 2025, at Thika Greens in Murang’a.
The event is expected to bring together potential investors, development partners, government agencies, and members of the Kenyan diaspora to explore economic opportunities across sectors.
Ahead of the conference, the county government held preliminary meetings in April with Kenyan professionals and businesspeople based in Washington, D.C., and Boston. These engagements were aimed at encouraging diaspora investment, particularly in the health and agriculture sectors.
“Murang’a is calling on all Kenyans living in the U.S. and other parts of the world to attend the upcoming Investment Conference,” Kang’ata urged.
“This is the time to invest back home, especially in healthcare services and modern nursing homes. The opportunities are real, and the impact will be transformative.”
Despite recent diplomatic tensions between Kenya and the U.S. since President Donald Trump’s return to office earlier this year, Kang’ata remains optimistic that Murang’a can maintain strong ties with American investors and institutions.
With global trade routes shifting and foreign companies looking to reduce their dependency on China, Governor Kang’ata believes Murang’a can emerge as a key player in the new economic order—attracting investors, creating jobs, and transforming the county into an industrial powerhouse.
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