Raila Odinga welcomes Indian investors to explore potential in counties

Indian businessmen are expected in Kenya later this year to establish trade links with county governments in different sectors of the economy.

An agreement with members of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations was arrived at following a meeting between former Prime Minister Raila Odinga (below), his delegation of governors and the group’s Hyderabad chapter in India.

Raila’s team included governors Salim Mvurya (Kwale), John Mrutu (Taita Taveta) and Cornell Rasanga (Siaya) and longtime ally Eliud Owalo.

The Opposition leader left the country for a 10-day visit of India last week, during which he met business and political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Raila urged the Indian business community to take advantage of the potential in Kenyan counties in the fields of manufacturing, infrastructure development, mineral exploitation, manpower development, energy, technology and agricultural value-addition.

He said focusing on these areas would enhance the trade volumes between the two countries and create opportunities to benefit millions of people in Kenya, India and across East Africa.

He also encouraged the investors to take advantage of the Lapsset (Lamu Port and South Sudan Ethiopia Transport) project and use Lamu as a port of entry to the wider African market.