North Rift Economic Bloc counties are preparing a bill aimed at turning the region into an industrial hub.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said soon the bill will be submitted for public participation before assemblies enact it into law.
Mandago, who is chairman of the bloc, said the bill will help the region source for resources for industrial development since the projects they want require huge sums.
He did not identify the projects, except the Nasukuta abattoir, which is being constructed with Europen Union funds for Noreb.
“We want to make this region an industrial hub and we cannot fund the projects alone, we need financial help,” he said.
Mandago said they want to spread industries in all eight counties, which should not compete by setting up the same industries but identifying an economic specialisation in each.
“We don’t want to centralise industries in one place. We have a clear road map that will help us set up industries in various counties,” he said.
The governor cited the Nasukuta abattoir.
“Other counties will not set up the same project but will be required to sell their animals to West Pokot and buy meat from there," he said.
“We don’t want duplication. We want to empower each county to have different industries and others to buy products from them,” the Uasin Gishu boss said.
“In each county, we have identified what they can do best and other counties don’t need to duplicate.”
The chairman said the slaughterhouse is 70 per cent complete and will help end cattle rustling since people will have enough money for a better livelihood.
“Youths engaging in cattle rustling should use of this slaughterhouse to sell their animals and earn a living,” Mandago said.
The abattoir, he said, will create jobs and eliminate middlemen who have been exploiting pastoralists.
“Middlemen buy their animals at a throwaway price and later sell them at a higher price in big towns, making surplus profits,” Mandago said.
West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo said after the Covid-19 pandemic passes, the counties will soon focus on economic revival.
“By early January next year this slaughterhouse will be operational and create jobs," he said.
Pastoralists already have begun upgrading breeds to ensure the slaughterhouse has enough animals.
“We don’t want this project to be a white elephant. That's why we have begun by ensuring we have enough resources to make it operational."
(Edited by V. Graham)
