Prioritize OTIF and inventory accuracy, pick-and-pack productivity, dock and yard capacity, cold-chain throughput (if applicable), and system integration (WMS/API). Also assess ramp-up flexibility, contingency plans for peak season, and carrier connectivity to key delivery corridors and ports.

Facilities in the region typically offer ambient racked storage, pallet-flow lanes, temperature-controlled chambers, cross-dock bays, secure container yards, and value-added services like kitting and returns processing. Confirm certified cold-chain handling and monitoring for perishable inventory.

Location in Rift Valley delivers shorter overland transit to western Kenya and faster links to Nairobi and Mombasa via primary highways and rail. The region provides practical routing options for cross-border movements into Uganda and beyond, enhancing carrier choice and scheduling resilience.

Key cost drivers include land and labor rates, energy and cold-storage expenses, container handling and drayage to port, inbound/outbound transport tariffs, storage density (racked vs. bulk), and value-added labor for kitting or returns. Model cost-to-serve by SKU and channel.

Require WMS functionality, real-time inventory visibility, API/EDI connectivity, and sample KPI reports (cycle counts, fill rate, lead times). Negotiate clear SLAs with penalties for missed service levels and defined onboarding milestones to validate operational and reporting readiness.