Speeches won’t turn around economy, action will

From left: Governors Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), James Ongwae (Kisii), Anyang Nyong'o (Kisumu) and Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) during the 5th KLREB summit at Siaya MTC on January 15, 2020. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Under the Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) umbrella, 14 governors met in Siaya town Tuesday this week. Top on their agenda was the adoption of the recently approved variety of the BT Cotton, adoption of the Sugar Task Force’s report and ways of turning the region’s economic prospects around.

In part, devolution rode on the promise that each county would deal with its unique challenges. While this has borne fruit, the realisation that pooling resources would yield better results gave rise to regional economic blocks. But despite their potential are regular meetings, there is little evidence that they add value. Many risk being dismissed as mere talk shops for governors.