North Rift counties now eye a common market

Eight counties in the North Rift, which formed an economic bloc recently, have set their sights on a common market targeting a population of over 5.7 million.

The plan will be implemented through the new economic bloc which comprises Uasin-Gishu, Baringo, Trans Nzoia, Nandi, West Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Elgeyo-Marakwet counties. The group plans to reach out to the rest of the regions later.

“We intend to come up with inter-county tariffs, which will also be harmonised to make it easier to do business,” said Uasin-Gishu County Governor Jackson Mandago.

Uasin-Gishu has a population of over 900,000.

Mr Mandago said the Eldoret International Airport will soon start direct flights to Entebbe, Uganda, under the new plan. Talks aimed at easing the movement of people from the region to within East Africa are already underway with a number of airlines.

“We want to take advantage of the region’s huge potential especially in tourism. This will also promote trade between the citizens of Uganda and Kenya,” said Mr Mandago.

The governors from the North Rift also seek to find a lasting solution to cattle rustling, especially in Baringo and Turkana counties. The menace has undermined development in the region.

SECURITY

Baringo County Governor Benjamin Cheboi said although security is a national function, the trading bloc would have a bigger say on the matter.

“This is a noble idea (North Rift unity) because the bigger you are, the more bargaining power you have on issues such as security,” Mr Cheboi said.

“Many investors have expressed interest to invest in the region on condition that they are assured of their security.” Uasin-Gishu has finalised plans to take over the Eldoret airstrip to promote tourism in the North Rift.

Mr Mandago said the county government will work with the Kenya Airports Authority and Moi University to expand the airport to promote domestic flights within all the eight counties in the region.

He said experts are working on details of local flights linking the eight counties to areas such as Maasai Mara.

Elgeyo-Marakwet governor Alex Tolgos said his county has rolled out programmes to encourage farmers grow various crops and fruits for export. “The cluster is purely economic and devoid of any political motive,” Mr Tolgos said.

The governors are seeking to rebrand the region, harmonise policies and inter-county tariffs and hold joint trade missions that would culminate in a joint investment conference in November.

SPORTS
“We have finalised the concept paper that will set up a North Rift economic hub. The region is endowed with a lot of resources and time has come for us to exploit them,” said West Pokot governor Simon Kachapin.

His Nandi counterpart Dr Cleophas Lagat said marketing the region as a favourite investment destination is one of their top agendas.

Dr Lagat said the trading bloc would seek markets for agriculture produce. “Production is not an issue but marketing is. The only way to improve our economy is to expand the markets and utilise advantages such as Eldoret International Airport, where cargo planes come in full but leave empty,” said Dr Lagat.

Sports and agri-tourism will also be the governors’ key focus.