Kisii Governor James Ongwae has assured the Business Community of a favorable environment to enable them thrive in their businesses.
Speaking during a dinner meeting with the business community in Kisii Town, the Governor urged the business community to invest in the County saying there was a ready market for their products.
He said the County Government could not move forward without the support and input of the business community.
“In Kisii County, we have endless opportunities in agribusiness, agro processing, mining, horticulture, manufacturing and hospitality. The existing businesses have done well but nobody prevents you from expanding and venturing into large scale manufacturing,” said Ongwae.
The business community lauded the Governor for his efforts in street lighting and opening up of backstreets that had boosted a 24 hour economy in Kisii Town and other urban centres.
In a memorandum read on their behalf by Green Light and Imperial Academy director Charles Mochama, the business community caucus asked the Governor to reorganize hawking business in Kisii Town in order to ease congestion.
“We face a number of challenges including unreliable water and power supply, congestion in Kisii Town, disaster management response and lack of land for expansion. All these issues need to be addressed to create a good environment for investment,” said Mochama.
They proposed that Daraja Mbili market be allowed to operate on a daily basis to accommodate hawkers.
Ouru Stores Director Mogambi Mogaka asked the County Government to emulate the American concept of Small Business Administration (SBA) where a one stop centre is established to offer business incubation for upcoming entrepreneurs.
“The potential in Kisii is immense because almost half of the manufacturers in the Western region sell their output in Kisii due to a ready market. However, we lack room for expansion especially in our efforts to move into large scale manufacturing. We need a mechanism where entrepreneurs can be supported with subsidized credit,” said Mogambi.
Nyara Distributors Director Ratemo Nyara commended the Governor’s efforts but challenged his administration to strive to take the county higher in terms of development.
Governor Ongwae said it was necessary to create a mechanism where diaspora remittances are used for investment as opposed to consumption.
Citing the plan to build a Cancer Centre in Kisii, the Governor shared his vision of making the County a medical tourism destination.
He said to ensure the right fiscal policies are in place in the county, there is need for business people and the general public to participate on Finance Bill to avoid cases where bills are passed into law without their participation.
Deputy Governor Joash Maangi said advanced economies had grown due to available market for their products, a situation already obtaining in Kisii County.
Over 100 members of the business community and members of the County Executive Committee attended the dinner.
