The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (MITI) has released a new report identifying Kenya’s most and least attractive counties for investors. The County Competitiveness Index (CCI), funded by the European Union through TradeMark Africa, evaluates devolved units using indicators such as governance, infrastructure, business environment, healthcare, and education.
Top Investment Destinations
According to the findings, Nairobi emerged as the country’s top investment destination, followed by several high-performing counties. The table below summarises the rankings:
| Rank | County | Competitiveness Score (%) | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi | 77 | Strong infrastructure and skilled workforce |
| 2 | Kiambu | 73 | Proximity to capital and business-friendly |
| 3 | Nyeri | 61 | Stable governance and human capital growth |
| 4 | Murang’a | 61 | Emerging industrial potential |
| 5 | Nakuru | 57 | Expanding urban economy |
| 6 | Machakos | 56 | Good infrastructure, moderate growth |
| 7 | Mombasa | 53 | Strong port economy, but high competition |
| 8 | Kirinyaga | 52 | Promising agriculture and SME sector |
| 9 | Embu | 51 | Steady development progress |
| 10 | Tharaka Nithi | 50 | Moderate competitiveness |
Bottom-ranking counties showed limited progress due to poor infrastructure, weak governance, and low economic activity:
| County | Competitiveness Score (%) | Key Challenges |
|---|---|---|
| Wajir | 13 | Infrastructure and governance deficits |
| Tana River | 14 | Poor connectivity and human capital limitations |
| Garissa | 15 | Weak economic activity and insecurity concerns |
| Marsabit | 16 | Harsh terrain and limited public investment |
| Mandera | 17 | Border instability and poor infrastructure |
The Ministry of Trade report attributes the strong performance of top-tier counties to robust infrastructure, skilled labour, and stable governance structures. Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja hailed the ranking as a reflection of the capital’s dynamic economy and investor confidence.
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To improve competitiveness, the report recommends that counties strengthen institutional capacity, invest in infrastructure and human capital, enhance business efficiency, and implement sustainability and climate resilience strategies.
It also notes that high-ranking counties benefit from solid public security, higher gross county product (GCP), and a greater government presence, while low-ranking regions struggle with deficiencies in healthcare, education, and governance.
