Counties from Central, Rift Valley and Eastern to form economic bloc to boost trade

Participants at the North Rift Economic Bloc breakfast launch at the Laico Regency hotel on October 27, 2015. Another economic bloc comprising at least 10 counties from the central, Rift Valley and eastern regions is set be launched in February. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  SAMUEL KARANJA

What you need to know:

  • The bloc will bring together 10 counties, which will also seek to connect with international partners to access finances for development.
  • A draft copy of an MoU among the participating counties is expected to be presented to the 10 governors on January 29.
  • A four-day consultative forum is scheduled to be held in Naivasha next week, bringing together all deputy governors from the 10 counties.
  • The bloc would then be unveiled in February, with the counties signing the MoU.

Several counties in the central Kenya, Rift Valley and eastern regions are planning to form an economic bloc to help improve trade and attract international investors.

The Mount Kenya and Aberdares Counties Trade and Investment Bloc to be unveiled this February will bring together 10 counties, which will also seek to connect with international partners to access finances for development.

The counties include Kiambu, Embu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nakuru, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Tharaka-Nithi and Isiolo.

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A source revealed that Kiambu County Deputy Governor Gerald Gakuha Githinji, who is also in charge of the Trade, Tourism, Cooperative and Industries docket in the county, is among those leading the team bringing the counties together.

A statement from the Kiambu County government said the deputy governor and his team have already begun consultative meetings with other deputies from the counties involved on forming the economic bloc.

BOOST INVESTMENT

“It (economic bloc) will also enhance employment creation, socio-cultural relations, economic growth within the counties, tariff reconciliation and have joint foreign direct investment attraction,” said the statement.

“The Regional Bloc will also help the counties speak in one voice which will attract investors and donors,” added the statement posted on the county’s Facebook page on Wednesday.

Sources revealed that another four-day consultative forum bringing together all deputy governors from the 10 counties is scheduled for next week in Naivasha.

Sectors to be exploited include tourism, agriculture, energy and health, among others.

A draft copy of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) among the participating counties is expected to be presented to the 10 governors on January 29, 2016.

The bloc would then be unveiled in February, with the counties signing the MoU.

Already, eight North Rift counties have launched the North Rift Economic Bloc, saying this would harmonise taxation and legislation to woo investors.

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