Insecurity, lack of land driving away capital: governors
Delegates at the Governors Summit at Enashipai Resort and Spa in Naivasha, Nakuru County on February 26, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH.
What you need to know:
- The governors are also uncomfortable with the quality of the staff they acquired from the central government.
- Mr Mrutu asked the national government to decentralise security arguing counties would play a key role from the grass roots.
- Kirinyaga’s Joseph Ndathi lamented that the land that previously belonged to the government and the county councils was grabbed during transition to devolved system.
Investors are avoiding counties because of insecurity and lack of land, a section of governors said Thursday.
The governors who spoke at the Nation Media Group sponsored summit in Naivasha said some of the would be investors cited the two as reasons they backed off.
Taita Taveta Governor John Mrutu said: “Lack of security is a major challenge. No one wants to put his money where they are not assured of making returns.”
Mr Mrutu asked the national government to decentralise security arguing counties would play a key role from the grass roots.
Kirinyaga’s Joseph Ndathi lamented that the land that previously belonged to the government and the county councils was grabbed during transition to devolved system.
“That is why counties are struggling to find land for investors. Land we would have allocated to investors as a partnership has been grabbed. Even worse is that those with huge tracks of land are selling them at astronomical prices. It’s big challenge,” Mr Ndathi said.
QUALITY OF STAFF
The governors are also uncomfortable with the quality of the staff they acquired from the central government. Kakamega’s Wycliffe Opranya said: “About 78 per cent of the people we inherited from the councils lack prerequisite skills for some of the jobs they are supposed to do. But sending them home will be politically suicidal.” Mandera Governor Ali Roba lamented that many parts in the Northern Kenya do not have adequate power supply to drive industries.
But Kenya Association of Manufacturers CEO Betty Maina faulted some of the county laws which she termed as a stumbling block to the potential investors.
“The national and county government must cooperate and make uniform laws that would, for instance, harmonise taxes and other levies to eliminate double taxation,” Ms Maina said during the meeting.
She cited a case of a branded trucks which are forced to pay advertising levies while in transit to all the countries they pass through.
Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya faulted Auditor General’s criteria of ranking counties arguing parameters used are not able to capture successes achieved.
“The ranking is based on what can be seen physically as opposed to the impact created to the lives of the residents,” Mr Mvurya said.
