Kenvest to help counties develop data bank on major investments

By Standard reporter

Kenya: Good governance is key to meaningful exploitation of investment opportunities within the counties, the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK) has said.

Speaking during at the Institute’s 12th monthly governance forum in Nairobi last week, on the topic ‘Investment opportunities in Counties’, ICPSK chairperson Catherine Musakali warned that it would be futile to create and have investment opportunities at the county level without good governance structures in place.

“Despite the excitement that the devolved governments have generated among the general populace, it is prudent that the leaders we have entrusted with the task of steering our counties forward, position their counties effectively to attract and compete for investment opportunities,” Ms  Musakali said.

During the event, whose key speaker was the Kenya Investment Authority (Kenvest) general manager Pius Rotich, the institute launched its new website www.icpsk.com.

Rotich said counties were now regarded as centers of investment and had to compete among themselves for investments. He said Kenvest was working with counties governments to develop data banks on investment opportunities, project profiling and investor targeting. He said Kenvest was fast tracking investor facilitation in collaboration with the county governments.

Mr Rotich maintained that emphasis would be put on attracting and retaining local investors, so that gains remain in the country.