4,000 Jobs, 3,000 Farmers: How Kilifi’s New Fruit Plant is Reshaping the Economy

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Kilifi County has taken a major step toward industrial and economic transformation following the commissioning of the Milly Fruit Processing Plant at Sabaki in Magarini, a project expected to create over 4,000 jobs and provide a ready market for more than 3,000 local farmers.

The commissioning ceremony was led by Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro alongside Ms. Diana Dalton, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director at the British High Commission in Kenya and Mr. Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion.

Speaking during the event, Governor Mung’aro described the project as a game-changer for Kilifi’s agricultural sector, saying it will strengthen the county’s value chain, increase farmers’ earnings, and stimulate local economic growth.

“This investment is not only about processing fruits but about transforming lives. It guarantees our farmers a stable market while creating thousands of job opportunities for our youth,” said Mung’aro.

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The fruit processing plant is part of a partnership between the Kilifi County Government, the Government of the United Kingdom, and the Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) Programme, implemented by Financial Sector Deepening (FSD) Kenya.

The partnership aims to support industrialisation and inclusive economic growth through strategic investments.

Ms. Diana Dalton praised the collaboration, noting that the project demonstrates the impact of international partnerships in promoting sustainable development and creating opportunities for local communities.

Principal Secretary Abubakar Hassan Abubakar highlighted the national government’s commitment to supporting counties in attracting investments that boost production and create employment.

Governor Mung’aro emphasized that his administration has spent the last three and a half years creating an investor-friendly environment aimed at unlocking Kilifi’s economic potential.

He revealed that through strategic partnerships, the county has facilitated the establishment of 14 Export Processing Zones (EPZs), four more than were established in the previous decade.

According to the governor, these EPZs have collectively generated more than 14,000 jobs, positioning Kilifi as the leading investment destination in Kenya’s Coast region.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to attracting more investors, expanding local industries, and creating sustainable employment opportunities.

The Milly Fruit Processing Plant is expected to significantly reduce post-harvest losses, improve product value, and increase exports, further boosting Kilifi’s economy.

With agriculture remaining a backbone of the county’s economy, leaders say the new facility marks the beginning of a new era of industrial growth and prosperity for Kilifi residents.