Activities to actualize the dream of setting up a Special Economic Zone in Kisumu County are in top gear following a two day visit by a special delegation from the World Bank and PWC India.

The team comprising of officers from the State Department of Industrialisation, IFC, which is the private arm of the World Bank and PWC India arrived in the County yesterday and this morning met with Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong’o and other relevant stakeholders to deliberate on the implementation of the proposed Miwani Special Economic Zone.

The County Government partnered with the World Bank to carry out a detailed feasibility assessment and market demand analytics for the site in Miwani and the region at large. The World Bank Group has since engaged PwC India to undertake pre-feasibility studies, market demand analytics and demand forecasts, sector prioritization and assessment of economic and commercial viability of three proposed SEZ in Kenya including Miwani, Mombasa and Lamu.

In his address to the team, the Governor provided a detailed update on the status of Kisumu Special Economic Zone Flagship project highlighting certain challenges that have since delayed the process including Government budgetary policies and acquisition of adequate land that has since been resolved following the County Government’s identification of 10,000 acres of land in Miwani, Muhoroni Sub – County.

He went ahead to highlight the on-going sector developments geared towards supporting the viability and growth of the Special Economic Zone including Energy where Kenya Transmissions Company (KETRACO) is currently putting up a 4000 kilovolt ring around the region that will help curb the numerous power challenges; efforts by both governments to realize the Koru-Soin Multipurpose dam under Water; Kisumu and the region’s capacity to provide manpower; connectivity provided by the good road networks, availability of an international airport and most importantly the Kisumu Port, a key gateway to the East African Community.

The Governor expressed his confidence on the feasibility study revealing easy access to market, a major concern to any investor adding that the zone sits at a vantage point starting with the Lake Region Economic Bloc to the East African Region and beyond. He therefore urged the investors to worry no more and instead embark on the implementation process through robust interactions and engagements that will help fast track the decisions and hasten the process as well.
The deliberations shall continue with more stakeholder consultations including investor meetings and surveys in Kenya, regionally and globally to assess investors and developer demand.

Sara Ochieng, the IFC Program Manager and the Bank’s Chief Advisor on SEZs and the team leader of the party said that they are extremely impressed by the site location and that this will turn out to be one of the best economic zones in the world. Other senior consultants included Mohammed Athar, a partner at PWC India and Isaac Otolo, a Director at PWC Kenya.

The County Directors and Chief Officers wrapped up their induction week today at the Royal City Gardens.

Speaking during the training, the county’s finance minister who was the guest of honor, Mr. George Okong’o, addressed the individual sector heads systematically outlining which projects needed immediate attention.

Echoing the finance Minister’s sentiments, Mr. James Goro from the Special Delivery Unit challenged the county officials to work on pending projects so that there are visible results and targets are met in the various sectors as he touched on performance contracts and appraisal.

The officials were taken through the importance of involving the public so as to be efficient and effective in running programs.

Among the departments that have targets and are expected to be met during the next six months are Water and Sanitation, Health, Environment, Education Finance, Agriculture, Roads and Tourism.

As a final note the Chief Officers and Directors were encouraged to work as a unit because all departments are interdependent.

By Stacy Chasimba

Incoming chief officers and Directors wrapping up the induction (Jacob Owiti)

The 5th annual Lake Region Economic Bloc Summit kicked off yesterday in Siaya County with delegates from member counties converging at the Siaya KMTC Grounds to deliberate on issues geared towards fast tracking the implementation process of the association as lake region.

The deliberations starting with the Council of Leaders meeting with the Governors were largely dominated by talks on how the bloc can be used to revamp the region’s economic potential with key highlights being; the sugar sector reforms, revitalization of the cotton industry with top agenda being the revival of KICOMI, improved fish production and climate change as well as youth empowerment among others.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o while addressing the leaders was very categorical on what needs to be done to re-awaken the sugar sector which is, the implementation of the sugar sector reforms as recommended by the Sugar Sector Review Committee earlier set up by the President and him being a member.

The committee that was co-chaired by Kakamega Governor and LREB Chair Wycliffe Oparanya made several proposals to the government on how the sugar industry can succeed including ensuring that farmers become the key persons, putting into place fair farm gate prices for farmers produce and easy access to market.

This has been a challenge overtime resulting from unfair competition from the sugar barons that have flooded the market with cheap imports. Other radical recommendations included the return of Zoning, return of the Sugar Board and the Sugar Development Levy that will help in building requisite infrastructure for the industry and provision of necessary inputs.

The Governor also challenged the bloc to come together and constitute a technical team that will develop a good cotton policy to be implemented across the counties  that will ensure a rapid response mechanism to deal with any challenges such as invasion by pests. He made it clear that  the revival of KICOMI should be accompanied by a one stop system that brings all services together as a means of job creation for the bloc’s citizenry.

Other key concerns raised by other leaders included the development of a regional climate change policy, creation of factories for value addition for farmers produce like fruits and vegetables, and a change of attitude by members towards technical training.

Members were urged to encourage the youth to take up technical training to equip them with the necessary skills needed for the growing economies. The message was that the region has potential and the bloc should do all it can to empower members on their areas of specialty.

The talks continue today with the Governor’s Summit being a key area of focus and a media engagement forum.

The LREB chairman, H.E Governor Wycliffe Oparanya addressing the audience during the 5th LREB Summit held in Siaya County

Audience at the 5th LREB Summit held in Siaya County

The induction of the incoming chief officers and directors continues on the second day graced by the Ag speaker of county assembly Hon. Elisha Oraro flanked by members of the county assembly.

The speaker passed his congratulatory message to the new successful appointees for being entrusted with the job, urging the officers to consult as often as possible with the assembly.

“The issue of pending bills is a big issue. Give us realistic budgets. You’re the technocrats. Think outside the box& let us give service to our people”, the Speaker concluded.

Members of county assembly present  also urged the new officers to work as a team with the focus on the Governor’s manifesto to achieve the county’s objective and that they should give solutions despite various challenges that the county is currently facing.

In his remarks, the chair of the budget committee, Hon. Steve Awiti, MCA Kolwa East implored the officers to work professionally according to the procurement laws and procedures to give people of Kisumu County the value for their money.

Majority leader Hon. Kenneth Onyango echoed the speaker on the need to enhance revenue collection, stating that “Revenue collection is for everyone, not just the finance department.”

The officials were tasked with the immediate implementation of the various Bills that the county government has passed which include; Kisumu county administrative bill, fish and aquaculture bill, transport bill, health bill, crop bill, trade amendment bill and Kisumu county emergency bill.

Other speakers included, Hon. Prisca Auma of Kaloleni/Shauri Moyo ward, Hon. Maureen Otiang’ of Chemelil Ward, Hon. Seth Ochieng’ Kanga of Market Milimani Ward, Hon. Vitalis Otura Kolwa Central, Hon. Rashid Miruka North Nyakach Ward, Hon. Pete B. Ouko, and Hon. Samson Ameso.

Ag. Speaker of the County Assembly, Hon Elisha Oraro addressing incoming County officers on day 2 of the induction program

Governor’s Speech – 56th Jamhuri Day

Governor, Professor Nyongo, giving his speech during Jamhuri Day at the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Ground, yesterday

As the rains continue to pound and cause havoc within the county, numbers of the affected persons is on the increase at the designated evacuation centers which calls for quick response on both food and nonfood items for the victims.

It is in the light of this, that the flood response coordinating committee comprising of county government team led by Ruth Odinga who is also the chairperson, development partners such as UNICEF, Care Kenya. World Vision, Red Cross, Makini Schools and Community well-wishers held a meeting to deliberate on how  provide aid  to the displaced persons.

With the growing population at the evacuation centers, assessment should be carried out to inform the needs of the people in the affected areas for accurate response.

Some of the foreseen immediate needs included holding medical camps, distribution of  ready to eat food items, water treatment tabs, buckets for water treatment, mosquito nets and sanitation facilities.

Desegregation of the displaced persons at the evacuation centers  is also key in meeting the different needs of people such as the lactating mothers, children under five, the old and persons with disabilities who are considered vulnerable.

Dredging of the river Nyando and Miriu is critical in reducing the overflow when rivers break their banks and construction of dykes is also key in flood prone areas to mitigate the occurrences of such emergencies.

The Ministry of Devolution was asked to dredge the rivers and construct the dykes during the official visit by the CS Eugine Wamalwa earlier this week.

The office of the County Commissioner has been tasked to beef up security in the night especially for the vulnerable young girls, mothers the and elderly women

The national government through Ministry of Devolution dispatched food items for distribution to affected areas.

Flood disaster has been common to Nyando and Muhoroni but this time round most parts of the county are affected including Nyakach, Kisumu East, Kisumu West, Kisumu Central and Seme.

Madam Ruth Odinga the in charge of County special programs thanked the development partners and the well –wishers from the business community for taking the initiative to support the noble cause. She called on them to put together a concerted effort towards meeting the needs of the affected persons.

The flood response coordinating committee meeting led by Madam Ruth Odinga in the Governor’s boardroom