Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli has said Kenya is sitting on untapped investment potential that could see areas such as Tana River and Wajir transformed into modern hubs similar to Dubai.
Atwoli said Kenya should explore opportunities across the country to attract both direct and indirect investment.
He was speaking on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, during the presentation of the New National Vision: Journey to a First World Economy report.
“If you go to Tana River, the whole county of Tana River, we can have a modern Dubai in that particular place. Go to Wajir, you can put there another Dubai,” he said.
Atwoli said increased investment and development in such areas could also help address challenges such as insecurity.
He further pointed to Lake Victoria as another area whose economic and tourism potential remains largely untapped, citing the lack of cruise vessels and high-end hospitality facilities around the lake.
“Do you know in the whole of Lake Victoria, we have no boats that can attract tourists?” he said.
Atwoli said introducing cruise ships on Lake Victoria could attract tourists and generate significant economic activity in Kisumu and surrounding areas.
He suggested that Kenya could pursue partnerships with countries experienced in the cruise industry, citing Sweden.
''If you have two cruise ships cruising on Lake Victoria, including a five-star cruise ship, you can have an agreement between your government and, let's say, the Swedish Government. They are very good at providing those cruise ships,” he said.
“You will be banking half a billion daily in Kisumu.”
Atwoli also questioned the shortage of five-star hotels in areas with tourism potential, saying better hospitality facilities were needed to attract visitors and investment.
He called for more investors in the hotel and hospitality sectors, alongside increased investment in manufacturing geared towards exports.
“Let us attract people who can invest in the hotel industry, in the hospitality industry, expand our businesses, attract both direct and indirect investment, particularly in manufacturing for the purposes of export,” he said.
Atwoli said expanding investment across these sectors would enable Kenya to make better use of its existing resources and unlock new areas of economic growth.
