Nine governors secure deals with Germany to boost stronger bilateral ties

Ken Lusaka Bungoma County Governor     PHOTO; FILE

Kenya: Nine governors from Western, Mt Kenya and Northern Kenya arrived back in the country on Friday after a fruitful two-week trip to Germany.

Speaking to The Standard on Saturday on phone, Bungoma governor who doubles as the Council of Governors Secretary Kenneth Lusaka, said they had learned a lot on how to boost agriculture and steer development projects.

“We have learned how to invest profitably in agricultural vocational training, extension services and transfer of research technologies.This knowledge will help us modernise traditional farming methods,” Lusaka said.

He said the investment deals they had secured will directly benefit communities through creating profitable enterprises, increased income opportunities for thousands of youth and create wealth.

STATE OF ART TECHNOLOGY

The county chiefs in the trip include Peter Munya (Meru), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Nderitu Gachagua (Nyeri), Joseph Ndathi (Kirinyaga), Ukur Yattani (Marsabit), Martin Wambora (Embu) Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Joseph Nanok of Turkana.

 Additionally, Lusaka pointed out that the county leaders had been equipped with knowledge on use of technology that boosts agriculture, how to use state of art machinery and equipment, how to sell  produce in lucrative markets and how to boost capacity of their county members.

During the last part of the study visit, Lusaka and Munya were privileged to learn more about the German Cooperation and their activities in Kenya.

According to German Ministry of Economic Development and Cooperation data, Germany is the second largest bilateral donor to Kenya in agriculture, water and health programmes.

Financial cooperation between the two countries is implemented through the German KfW (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau) while the Technical Cooperation is implemented by GIZ, both long-term partners of Kenya.

The governors discussed with KfW on investments in roads in Western, which will kick-off by mid-November this year while phase four of the smallholder irrigation programme in Mt Kenya region is ready for launching.

Other investments projects that will spur development in Bungoma, Siaya and Kakamega will be identified during a feasibility study set for December.

CEMENT TIES

Investment on agriculture development will be replicated in Marsabit and Turkana counties, after a feasibility study.

The German Technical Cooperation invited the nine governors together with representatives from the national government to Germany to boost stronger bilateral ties between the two states and share knowledge with the leaders which will help them spearhead robust development projects.