Nyanza region counties urged to empower local investors

The four county governments within Luo-Nyanza region have been impressed upon to consider identifying and developing local investors to enhance socio-economic growth.

Director of the Association of Professional Societies in East Africa (APSEA), Mr Felix Okach, urged the governors of Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Migori Counties to empower local investors instead of flying to foreign countries to court investors.

He argued that governors spend at least Ksh10 million on a single foreign trip, an amount that could be channeled to other development projects if the governors resorted to developing local investors.

Mr Okach, who was speaking in Siaya Town, lamented that the foreign trips have not proven useful, as most of them have not borne fruit.

The director stated that such funds could also be diverted into other tangible development projects such as the construction of roads.

He observed that the four county governments have received a good amount of money that if well spent the region could realize effective socio-economic development.

Mr Okach noted that with the allocation of Ksh6 billion that each of the four counties has been receiving on average, the counties can effectively grow if the funds are put in good use.

He added that it is high time the governors realized that the aim of devolution was to provide an opportunity for growth especially in areas such as Luo-Nyanza that had been neglected in terms of development in the past.