- Oparanya said LREB was facing financial constraints and the support by the UK had come at the right time.
- Marriott said the UK is proud to have been a partner with LREB since its inception, pledges more support to the bloc to achieve its objectives.
The UK government has signed peace building and development partnership agreements with the Lake Region Economic Bloc.
The agreement commits governors in the 14 counties that form LREB to promote peace despite their political alignments.
The partnerships through the Kenya Devolution and Reinvent programmes will focus on development in trade and investment, healthcare, governance and devolution support, urban development, peace and conflict management and education and other areas of mutual interest.
The two agreements were signed during the eighth LREB special summit at Bishop Nicholas Stam Pastoral Centre in Kakamega on Monday.
They were signed by Agnes Odhiambo, the head of Kenya Devolution Programme, her Reinvent counterpart Jacky Mbogo and LREB chief executive Abala Wanga, and witnessed by UK High Commissioner Jane Marriott and LREB chairman Wycliffe Oparanya.
"As we enter the election season, we note that like in many countries, Kenya has one of the most competitive sub-national elections and the commitment that the 14 LREB counties have made can have positive echoes across the country and as an example of how intra-county contestations and inter-county tallies can be managed peacefully and credibly,” Marriott said.
She said the UK, through the Reinvent programme, will continue to provide technical assistance on peacebuilding to the region.
Marriott said the UK is proud to have been a partner with LREB since its inception and pledged more support to enable the bloc to achieve its objectives.
Six of the 14 governors attended the meeting and signed the two pacts. They are James Ongwae (Kisii), Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay), Cornel Rasanga (Siaya) and Wilbur Ottichilo (Vihiga). Others sent representatives.
Western regional commissioner Esther Maina and her Nyanza counterpart Magu Mutindika, Busia Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi and LREB council chairperson Beatrice Sabana were also present.
Marriott said the UK will support all the eight regional economic blocs to achieve their objectives.
Oparanya said LREB was facing financial constraints and the support from the UK had come at the right time.
The Kakamega governor urged politicians to maintain peace during campaigns by avoiding use of inciting language.
Oparanya said the UK had supported LREB to develop the regional framework for peace.
“This is what has culminated in the joint signing of the peace initiative today. The peace statement to be disseminated is a commitment from governors in this region to advocate and promote peace in this region and beyond,” he said.
He said the governors resolved to work with other parties, including the national government, to ensure peaceful and cohesive coexistence during the forthcoming general election.
“This is to ensure that despite our different political alignments and orientation, LREB member counties will stay focused to achieve the objectives for which the bloc was established,” he said.
Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya