Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on counties to integrate and operate as economic blocs to maximise their potential and attract investors.
Speaking at the Nyanza International Investment Conference in Kisumu, Prof Kindiki underscored the importance of regional cooperation, citing economic blocs such as the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) as critical to fostering development.
Prof Kindiki also used the same event, his first in Kisumu since he was elected the Deputy President, to rally the delegates and locals to back the Kenya Kwanza administration, especially after the political deal between President William Ruto and the region’s political supremo, Raila Odinga .
The Deputy President called on counties to work as a unit and in blocks to make it easier for them to unlock their specific region’s potential and attract investors.
“Through collaboration, we can leverage economies of scale to attract investors and strengthen inter-county and intra-regional trade. This structured approach enables counties to harness their comparative advantages, accelerating socio-economic growth and development,” said Prof Kindiki.
Prof Kindiki termed the Nyanza International Investment conference as both timely and relevant as it aligns with the government’s shared commitment of driving sustainable development and economic prosperity across the counties.
As researches have shown, the Nyanza region is rich in natural resources, boasts a strong agricultural base, and has immense potential in the blue economy and industrialization.
Opportunities exist in key sectors such as agribusiness, fisheries, renewable energy, tourism, and infrastructure development.
Prof Kindiki pointed out that the strategic location of this region along Lake Victoria and the East African Community border further presents vast opportunities for maritime trade and logistics.
“I encouraged investors to take full advantage of the available incentives and the well-structured Public-Private Partnership frameworks that will drive sustainable growth in these sectors,” said Prof Kindiki.
Mr Eliud Owalo, the State House Deputy Chief of Staff and Patron of the Investments Conference said Nyanza, a region blessed with abundant natural resources, vibrant cultures, and resilient people, has long been a place of untapped potential but for decades, has been sidelined, left behind in the shadows of political exclusion and economic neglect.
But he stated that this must change so that it is propelled to the greatness it so rightly deserves.
According to him, the region’s economic contribution paints a grim picture with counties contributing just 9.3 percent to Kenya’s manufacturing sector compared to Nairobi County which accounts for 27.5 per cent contribution to GDP.
On average in the six counties of Nyanza, agriculture is at 2.3 percent compared to other areas whose contribution is 7.6 percent.
“Encouraging intra-regional trade and enhancing connectivity between counties and neighbouring countries will open new markets, enhance supply chains, and facilitate the exchange of goods and services. Creating favourable policies and trade partnerships will build stronger economic ties in East Africa,” said Mr Owalo
The conference was attended by more than five cabinet secretaries, governors from the Lake Region Economic Bloc, a host of MPs and investors from across the world.
He was accompanied by a host of cabinet Secretaries including Opiyo Wandayi (Energy and Petroleum), John Mbadi (Treasury and Economic Planning), Migos Ogamba (Education), Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives and MSMEs) Alfred Mutua (Labour and Social Protection), Alice Wahome (Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development).
Governor Nyong'o also said through collaboration, new opportunities can be unlocked and accelerated the journey through prosperity.
Governor Orengo pointed out that investment conferences should address why they do not attract investors at the end of the day, and one thing was clear was that there have been a lot of bureaucratic hurdles.
“There are many road blocks to an investor who wants to let us say come to Siaya. We need to look at the legal framework to make sure that someone who wants to invest can come there directly to counties without legal hurdles,” said Mr Orengo.
He pointed out that a county government cannot enter into a public private partnership, they cannot succeed within five years.
The Deputy President pointed out that the county governments, in collaboration with the National Government, have embarked on the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs), an initiative aimed at enhancing value addition, improving market access, and creating employment.
The Parks which are at different stages of construction, will upon completion support the processing, packaging, and marketing of agricultural and industrial products, ensuring that counties move beyond raw material production.
“To further boost manufacturing and increase exports, County Governments are supporting the development of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Export Processing Zones (EPZs) in the region. These zones offer tax incentives, world-class infrastructure, and streamlined business processes, making them attractive investment hubs,” said Prof Kindiki.
On politics, Prof Kindiki expressed his appreciation in the manner that the Nyanza region had backed the broad based government.
He took the cue from his boss, who was in the region a few weeks ago to stress that the Kenya Kwanza government is keen on working with leaders from across the political divide and in every region.
“You remember very well that Ruto and Raila Odinga competed against one another, but now the President is the biggest campaigner of Raila in his quest to become the Chairman of the African Union Commission. This is because the two agreed to work together to unite the country,” said Prof Kindiki amid cheers from the crowd.
He stated that Mr Odinga deserves to be the next AUC Chairman because he is a qualified Kenyan, who will take the African continent forward.
Prof Kindiki was speaking at Huduma Centre at Ojolla in Kisumu West moments after he officially opened the Nyanza International Investment Conference in Kisumu.
“We are now in the broad based government and that is why we are here with my colleagues who were appointed from the opposition side,” said Prof Kindiki.
