The government is committed to working with county governments to unlock Kenya’s economic potential, President William Ruto has said.
The goal, he explained, is to change the devolution from administration and sharing of resources to the provision of public services, the promotion of opportunities, facilitating the recovery of the economy and facilitating prosperity at the grassroots level.
President Ruto said the government is implementing the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda through value chains to increase productivity in sectors and industries in the county.
“Under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the government is committed to carrying out its appointed role not only to strengthen devolution as a fundamental constitutional responsibility, but also because the counties have many opportunities for rapid economic growth,” he said.
The President said this on Tuesday during the Second Homa Bay County International Investment Conference.
President Ruto mentioned the creation of special economic zones, industrial development areas of the county, promotion of the local economy and the strengthening of small and medium businesses as some of the important interventions aimed at unlocking the potential of the county.
“As we have seen, our success so far has clear signs of cooperation between governments,” he said.
The President said the implementation of programs such as subsidized fertilizers, community health promoters, affordable housing projects and the digital economy have changed the economic growth of the county.
“Since 2022, we have enabled farmers to increase food crops. Therefore, we have recorded high harvests in a row, taking us closer to our vision of eradicating hunger completely,” he said.
He pointed out that community health promoters are county health workers.
The affordable housing agenda, he said, has received a strong boost from the entry of county governments into the partnership.
He said the digital economy agenda has made counties, sub-counties and wards into arenas for innovation, job creation and the possibility of business processes through last mile internet connection and the development of Communication and Information Technology centers.
The Head of State urged investors to look for investment opportunities in Homa Bay County, promising the support of the National Government.
“The National Government is ready to do its part in facilitating investment in the county, and in using the existing partnership with Homa Bay to give investors the best chance to create jobs and wealth,” he said.
US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman said Homa Bay has great untapped potential due to its unique features, including Lake Victoria.
Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang said leaders from the area support the President and his administration, and promised to join forces to achieve the country’s development agenda.
“We pray for you as the captain of the Kenyan ship. If we wish you ill, we will all be watching. So we wish you success so that we can succeed,” the senator said.
He congratulated the President for supporting the ambition of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to become the chairman of the African Union Commission.
Governor Anne Waiguru said her fellow women are setting the pace on how to manage county affairs.
“We expect more women governors to be elected in the next election,” he said.
Governor Gladys Wanga commended the National Government for starting the affordable housing project in Homa Bay.
“A group of welders have won a KSh11 million contract, something they never expected,” he said.
Wanga said leaders from the area support Odinga’s request to become the chairman of the African Union Commission.
