Nairobi, April 6 -- They were launched amid fanfare, heralding a new era of economic development and job creation across different counties.

But beneath the surface of colourful inaugurations of the County Integrated Industrial Parks lies a stark reality as many of them have failed to progress and take off as envisioned.

While construction of some is ongoing, the journey toward actualisation has been marred by challenges and setbacks, leaving communities and stakeholders grappling with unfulfilled expectations and unrealized potential.

Many counties invested significant resources in infrastructure development, land acquisition, and promotional activities to attract investors to these parks.

However, a combination of factors, including...