Lake Region Economic Bloc governors have urged President William Ruto to support their plan to build an inter-county railway line.
LREB vice chairman and Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka said the railway line is their biggest investment in the strategic plan 2022-2027.
“We are in discussion with the Indian Railway Corporation to realise this project . This is an important project and we are appealing for your help,” he said.
He spoke at the launch of the inaugural Kakamega International Investment Conference.
Lusaka said the bloc plans to have a 2,080 megawatt floating solar power production project at Lake Kanyaboli in Siaya county.
The project is expected to provide alternative and affordable energy to residents and institutions such as hospitals.
He said the solar energy will produce cheap and clean energy as envisaged in the Kenya Kwanza development agenda.
“This is in the region's effort to conserve the environment and lean more towards solar energy,” Lusaka said.
LREB is made up of 14 counties namely Kisumu, Homa bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga, Trans-Nzoia, Nandi, Kericho, Bomet and Siaya.
It has a catchment population of 14 million.
Lusaka said economic blueprint of the bloc outlines its socio-economic aspirations and is designed to guide its development efforts.
The blueprint hopes to leverage on existing assets, address constraints and define key steps to transform the shared vision of prosperity into reality.
The region has investment potential in agriculture, especially agro-processing and value chains, tourism, blue economy, environment and climate change, infrastructure, trade, mining, health and ICT.
The bloc has 40 per cent Kenyan population and contributes to almost 50 per cent of the economy.
Lusaka said leaders from the region have resolved to continue partnering with the national government to spark grassroots growth and development for the benefit of people.
He said the bloc decided to open up the LREB counties for investments this year.
