'We must stop crying and work ourselves out of poverty,' Mudavadi tells Kenyans

County Governments and Kenyans have been urged to put in more effort towards a wealthier and economically stable nation.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has said Kenyans themselves have to turn the country’s economic potential into a reality.

He called for the need to address inter-county barriers to trade and investment as an enabler to more and open frontiers for expanding Kenya’s regional and international trade.

"We must stop crying and work ourselves out of poverty. There is no time for lamentations but focus should be on work, we have to sweat for us to achieve the gains we envisage as a people," said Mudavadi.

Mudavadi spoke on Wednesday during the inaugural Kakamega international investment conference at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.

He said that addressing trade barriers will go hand in hand with improving partnership between National and County governments.

Mudavadi explained that counties bear vast potential and opportunities that are still un-tapped, which could be a game-changer if explored.

“Counties should take advantage of the trade and investment opportunities that the government has negotiated through bilateral agreements, including with but not limited to the European Union, the United Kingdom and other nations that we are negotiating with at the regional and global level,” said Mudavadi.

He re-affirmed the government’s dedication to supporting counties saying President William Ruto’s administration fully supports devolution.

Similarly, Mudavadi challenged counties to focus on unique opportunities that lie at their disposal and explore ventures that will help open new frontiers for investment, development, job creation and sustainable growth.

“Kenya is a champion of Africa’s integration through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement, and counties should be at the forefront in supporting the national government in utilizing the opportunities that are being presented through such trade agreements,” said Mudavadi.

He lauded Kakamega leadership under Governor Fernandes Barasa and the Kakamega County Investment and Development Agency, for organizing the high-level conference that has attracted local and international investors, venture capitalists, corporations, development partners among other entities.

He said the conference has provided an opportunity that has created connections and ignited partnerships that will help move the county’s development to the next level.

“This is a landmark event, bringing together over 2,000 delegates, more than 300 exhibitors, sponsors and speakers from across the region and the world,” remarked Mudavadi.

“The moment is here for Kakamega to showcase opportunities it can offer in sectors where it enjoys competitive advantage, particularly in agriculture and value addition, healthcare, social development and natural resources, environment and climate change,” he added.

Being an agricultural county, Mudavadi called on the participants to focus on how to link local farmers and entrepreneurs to regional and global markets that can uplift the social and economic livelihoods of the people in the region and the country.

He urged Kakamega leaders to maximize on the outcome of the 4-day conference to woo investors that will make a commitment to support key projects in the county.

The projects include completion, equipping and making operational the Kakamega Teaching and Referral Hospital, a 750-bed capacity health facility that is expected to boost healthcare provision in Western, once completed.

“We look forward to fruitful deliberations and outcomes that will shape the future of Kakamega, Western region and our county in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030,” said Mudavadi.

The Bukhungu Stadium is another milestone project on pipeline, having been touted as a potential host for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) and to be among those that host the 2027 African Cup of Nations.

Another key project calling for investment support is the Kakamega Forest, the only tropical rainforest in Kenya and second one in Africa after the Congo Forest.

Attracting investors towards the conservation of Kakamega forest is expected to help mitigate effects of climate change and a potential ecotourism destination as well as the crying stone of Ikhonga Murwi.

"The crying stone is of Kakamega is a heritage that we treasure, but today we are talking about investment, since we can't be crying ourselves out of poverty rather we have to work hard," symbolically remarked Mudavadi.

The revival of the Mumias Sugar factory and supporting cane farmers is also an area of consideration, which calls for serious investments to support the factory get back to its feet.

"Our leaders especially the legislators both at parliament and county assemblies should work on supportive legislation that will spur economic growth and investment. We must do a targeted tooling for our people and embrace diversity, he stated.

The Prime CS urged the residents of Kakamega County and the Western Kenya region to take advantage of the conference to learn, exchange ideas, network and sell unique products to international guests.

"We have at least 72 tea factories nationally, and the Western Kenya region of Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia and Bungoma only have 1 factory. The question is why do we receive the same amount of rainfall as Kisii, Nandi, Kericho and other tea growing areas but they have on an average 7 or 8 factories per region?" he posed.

He said a lot still needs to be done in the region, saying forums as the investment conference should be used as a platform to advance agenda that will help the region expand its investment base.