Investing in Marsabit County

Marsabit County is located in the extreme part of northern Kenya and has a total area of 70,961.2 sq. km. It has an international boundary with Ethiopia to the north, borders Turkana County to the west, Samburu County to the south and Wajir and Isiolo counties to the east. It lies between latitude 02° 45° North and 04° 27° North and longitude 37° 57° East and 39° 21° East.

Most of the county constitutes an extensive plain lying between 300m and 900m above sea level, sloping gently towards the southeast.

The plain is bordered to the west and north by hills and mountain ranges and is broken by volcanic cones and calderas. The most notable topographical features of the county are Ol Donyo Ranges (2,066m above sea level) in the southwest, Mt. Marsabit (1,865m above sea level) in the central part of the county, Hurri Hills (1,685m above sea level) in the northeastern part of the county, Mt. Kulal (2,235m above sea level) in the northwest and the mountains around Sololo-Moyale escarpment (up to 1,400m above sea level) in the northeast.

The main physical feature is the Chalbi Desert which forms a large depression covering an area of 948 sq km, lying between 435 and 500m elevation. The depression is within the Great Rift Valley and is separated from Lake Turkana, which is 65 -100m lower in elevation, by a ridge that rises to 700m.

Why Marsabit county

Conducive Climatic Conditions

Modern Infrastructure

Skilled Human Resource

Investor friendly

Investment Opportunities

Agribusiness

Wajir has an enormous supply of underground water as it sits on the Merti and Yamicha acquifer. Additional water supply is provided by seasonal rivers and Ewaso Ngiro Basin along its Isiolo, Garissa border. Therefore, commercial farming and horticulture through Irrigation promises an attractive return on investment.

Livestock Farming

Wajir is the Livestock capital of Kenya. The county is one of the major sources of beef, and small stock sold in Nairobi and Mombasa. It has a vibrant goats and sheep market that trades daily while cattle and camels are traded once a week – every Monday.

Renewable Energy

Wajir intends to distinguish itself as clean energy based economy. It’s abundant supply of solar and good wind speeds offer a golden opportunity for any investor seeking to set up solar and wind plants and contribute to the budding green economy. Most areas in the County have high intensity of solar with good wind speeds in the south in Habaswein and Arbajahan.

Prospecting Minerals

In 1912, Wajir had been earmarked as a suitable location for a cement factory as it sits on massive deposits of limestone. Local entrepreneurs are already tapping into this resource, albeit using outdated methods, by crudely burning the limestone and producing whitewash which is then mixed with sand and used for construction. This method produces a crude but effective and cheap cement variety. This cement has been used by the local communities for over a century as witnessed by old town houses and mosques still in existence.

For more information visit Marsabit County Website