President William Ruto has announced a nighttime special electricity tariffs for manufacturers effective May 1, 2024.

The head of state made the announcement while commissioning the Nexgen Packaging Kenya EPZ Limited, Mavoko, Machakos County on Tuesday, April 23. The tariff is expected to cut the cost by 50 per cent while removing the need for full daytime cap.

Ruto noted that the move will enable manufacturers continue operations into the night, creating employment opportunities for Kenyans.

“We have decided to cut electricity costs for investors operating in the country by 50 per cent to facilitate nighttime operations for industries as a strategic move to make their operations more cost-effective and, in turn, create additional job opportunities,” he said.

During the event, President Ruto noted that textile and apparel companies dominate Kenya's EPZ zones and boast a total capital investment of Ksh24.8 billion - employing over 60,000 people.

“Not only has Nexgen Packaging EPZ entered a market with demonstrable present and potential returns, but it has done so by taking advantage of the highly advantageous, investor friendly package of fiscal, infrastructural, and regulatory incentives to enter a highly promising economic sub-sector,” he said.

President Ruto underscored the significance of the EPZ programme to the country's export market, noting that Kenya has exported $7 billion dollars worth of duty free apparel to the US  compared to $545 million in 2022.

"Our strategic interventions in the textile and apparels sub-sector have provided Kenya with a competitive advantage, attracting investors and growing the manufacturing base. This has not only led to increased exports, but also expanded job opportunities for factory workers and over 40,000 cotton farmers," he said.

The president also announced an $11 million partnership between Kenya and the United States to boost the textile and apparels sub-sector to a new level.