COUNTY VALIDATES RESOURCE MOBILIZATION AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION STRATEGY

Kakamega County Investment and Development Agency (KCIDA) has embarked on developing a strategy aimed at promoting investments and mobilising resources which are key in attaining wealth creation and food security.

County Secretary and Head of Public Service CPA Amb James Ochami on Tuesday while opening a resource mobilization and investment promotion meeting organized by KCIDA in partnership with USAID’s Kenya Investment Mechanism (KIM), stated that Kakamega County’s collaboration with various stakeholders both internally and externally will be crucial in transforming the County as it envisages to attain City status.

Amb. Ochami guided that alignment of H.E FCPA Governor Fernandes Barasa’s six point agenda on Health, Food Security, Wealth creation, Education, Social development and Governance must be put into consideration as the Agency profiles Kakamega County as the preferred destination for investment.

“As we focus on bringing in investors, priority must also be placed on finding and working with other partners with the purpose of mobilizing resources which not only include funding but also human resource to ensure independence and sustainability of the Agency,” Amb. Ochami stated.

Kakamega County is among the 8 Counties selected by USAID’s Kenya Investment Mechanism through the Prosper Counties Project for having good governance and making positive strides in development since inception of devolution. The project’s aim is to enable County Governments create an enabling environment for the private sector to be able to invest and unlock financing from different players in the market. KCIDA has received training support through, “how to attract investors to the County,” strategy and policy formulation.

Madam Elizabeth Asichi, CEO KCIDA pointed out that the strategy is beneficial as part of the Operational Plan for the Agency is to ensure its journey to sustainability and informed on the importance of increasing the allocation of the Agency’s budget for it to attract potential investors through investment promotion campaigns.

The CEO called on stakeholders to support the Agency so as to market Kakamega as the investment hub of choice in the Country. She also thanked USAID for supporting Kakamega County’s development agenda.

Mr. Moses Nyabila, KIM’s Business Enabling Environment Advisor said USAID’s Kenya Investment Mechanism will continue to partner with Kakamega County on capacity building and challenged Officers to leverage on Kakamega’s reliable road infrastructure, favourable climatic conditions and a big population to market the County as a preferred investment destination for investors.