Why regional blocs flopped even before hitting ground

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya addresses the media after addressing the county assembly of Busia on the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) on March 20, 2019.

When governors across the 47 counties mooted the idea of regional blocs, they touted them as the silver bullet that would change the fortunes of their regions.

Optimism surrounding the idea was evident, as the county chiefs fell over each other to establish economic partnerships, promising residents a turnaround in their lives.