More investors expected in second day of Baringo summit

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi (right), Chairman of Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry Kiprono Kittony (second right) and other dignitaries toast during the opening of Baringo Entrepreneurship and Expo Summit Thursday. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

KENYA: The Baringo Entrepreneurship and Expo Summit enters its second and final day today.

The summit that kicked off yesterday at the Kabarnet Show Grounds is expected to attract guests from across the country.

Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi yesterday led North Rift leaders in hosting several local and foreign potential investors.

Those present yesterday included Korean, Botswana and Hungarian ambassadors.

According to the governor, investors eyeing Baringo would lease land, get access to water, hire local labour and get tax incentives to help them create jobs that would see jobless youths absorbed in the job market.

County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo assured investors that security officers had managed to tame cattle rustling menace and reassured them of conducive environment for investment.

“The county has for long sat on resources that has the potential to be converted into wealth. Unemployment for youth is the biggest challenge to the country and not Baringo alone,” he said.

While addressing the investors, Botswana ambassador John Moreti asked the county to consider empowering local investors by providing a conducive environment, saying African countries must up their game and trust its on people.

“The Government must put in place proper measures and policies to enable private investors to be able to play their critical role. We are required to attract investors and not scare them away,” he said.

Among the sectors the county wants investor put their money in include tourism, energy and mining, real estate development and agribusiness.

Tullow Oil is exploring energy resources while a feasibility study for a planned cable-cars investment is under way. The deal is being jointly done by Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet county governments. It will see private investors implement the project running from Elgeyo Marakwet to Tugen Hills.

Governors present included Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and Paul Chepkwony (Kericho).

Prof Chekwony promised Cheboi that goods emanating from Baringo through his county will no longer be taxed.

Mr Oparanya, who represented Chairman of the Council of Governors Peter Munya (Meru) praised Baringo for taking the bold move, adding that investment was the only remedy for the country’s ailing economy.

Kiprono Kittony, the chairman of the newly revamped Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), assured interested investors of total co-operation and support.

“It’s our sole interest to enhance economic environment that provides legal guarantees and appropriate environment to our investors,” said KNCCI chairman.

Mr Kittony regretted that the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) had collapsed yet its operations were used as a case study by Botswana that set up a similar venture that is now thriving.

Chairman of the Commission on Revenue Allocation Micah Cheserem described devolution as the only remaining option to change the country’s image and asked counties not to be stumbling blocks to potential investors.

He warned that wrangles in counties were destroying development and called for total co-operation, saying Baringo had wonderful hotels and could not understand why MCAs were travelling all the way to Kisumu for workshops.

Mr Cheboi reassured investors of co-operation from all political leaders, saying everyone recognised the need to nurture businesses that create jobs.

He said over 20,000 title deeds will be issued by the National Land Commission to both individuals and private ranches to enable investors access land without delays and unnecessary legal hurdles.

Already ruby, manganese and diatomite mineral deposits have been discovered in the county.

The Geothermal Development Company is currently exploring how to harness 3,000MW of geothermal power at Silale belt.

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