𝐊𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐆𝐀 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐑𝐈𝐏𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐀𝐒 𝟑-𝐃𝐀𝐘 #𝐊𝐀𝐈𝐈𝐂𝐎𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒
The inaugural Kakamega International Investment Conference (#KAIICO2024), which is currently underway at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, has been officially opened by the President, H.E Dr William Ruto.
In his address, the President outlined the National Government’s initiatives to stimulate investment in Kakamega, top on the list being the revitalization of the County’s road infrastructure. This initiative will complement Governor Barasa’s 10KM per Ward road projects that were launched recently.
The Head of State also revealed the ongoing collaborative efforts between the two levels of government to overhaul the sugar sector through management reforms and support for cane development, among other endeavors.
The National Government is also planning to establish a gold refinery factory at a cost of Ksh. 5.8 billion to harness Kakamega’s abundant gold resources, also an investment in rural electrification with a budget allocation of Ksh 2.5 billion and revival of the cotton industry.
In his opening remarks, the Governor H.E FCPA Fernandes Barasa began by extending a warm welcome to all the attendees to Kenya’s “green jewel.” He further underscored the strategies his administration has taken to market Kakamega for investment, in line with his six-point agenda, before presenting the array of investment opportunities available in the county .
US Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Margaret Meg Whitman, on her part, announced a partnership between the Kakamega County Government and a US-based company, Delish and Nutri, for peanut value addition, expected to generate over 1000 jobs to the residents.
She also confirmed that the Matawa organic fertilizer manufacturing plant, being constructed in collaboration with the US Government, will commence operations immediately upon completion.
The First session of the first day of the Conference culminated in the signing of two MoUs, to be followed by 20 similar agreements on the second day of the conference.
The event was also attended by H.E Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Prime Cabinet Secretary, H.E Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya and Rebecca Miano, Governors Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Dr. Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Abdi Ibrahim Hassan (Isiolo) and Paul Otuoma (Busia), First Lady of Kakamega Prof. Janet Kassilly Barasa, Deputy Governors Ayub Savula (host), Joseph Oyugi (Homabay) and Wilberforce Kitiezo (Vihiga), MPs, MCAs, Investors Sponsors, Partners, among other delegates.