News Categories: Trade, Tourism, Investment & Industrialization

A team of county revenue officers earlier this month, held 4 days consultative meetings with bodaboda operators across the county to inform them of government’s intention to create SACCOs for the industry. This is a move by the county government to give bodaboda operators the opportunity to invest and grow their economic status by depositing the amount which would be used as business licensing fee to SACCOs of their choice. The forums organized by the county government took place in various venues all over the county bringing together all the bodaboda business stakeholders.

Leading a team of officers to Kabiyet, in Mosop Sub County, Sammy Lui said that the county government is giving an opportunity to all bodaboda operators to form SACCO societies in which they will deposit their savings on monthly basis. He pointed out that bodaboda operators will benefit from SACCO in many ways including saving some of their income for future needs, easy access to loans, annual dividends and retirement benefits.

Lui who was speaking on behalf of County Revenue Senior Officer Nicholas Biwott noted that other SACCOs acquire land and build rental houses from their savings which in return earn them more profits from rents collected. He said that if the members work together with a common goal and vision, bodaboda industry will be worth millions of shillings and can be looked up to in the future. He indicated that bodaboda operators can choose to join either a primary SACCO which is made up of a maximum of 20 members or secondary SACCO which has a maximum of 50 members.

Registered under the Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing, SACCO is authorized to take deposits from and lend to its members. It is governed by the SACCO bylaws which state the objectives, membership, organization structure, share capital, management and lending regulations.

Motor cycle owners and riders drawn from Kaptel-Kamoiwa, Ndalat, Kabisaga and Sangalo-Kebulonik wards welcomed the county government’s initiative to boost their economic ventures and vowed to create SACCOs before the beginning of the next financial year. Edwin Kemboi, KabiyetBodaboda Chairperson expressed gratitude to the County Government for such an informative forum that will transform the bodaboda industry. However he asked the County Government to build a large bodaboda shade in Kabiyet that will see over 50 riders who are in need of the amenity sheltered.

A team of training facilitators from Kenya Institute of Business Training Thursday visited the county’s department of Trade, Investment and Industrialization where they met the department’s CEC Jacob Tanui.The team that is mandated to carry out training on micro, small and medium enterprises came to seek an MOU with the county government with regard to training MSMEs in the county. The visit comes in a time when the department is in the process of developing a county enterprise fund Bill which is intended to improve the livelihood of Nandi residents by means of economic empowerment.

Speaking during the meeting the CEC welcomed the team’s offer to work with the county government for the betterment of MSMEs. He reiterated that his initiative is geared towards a structured, focused and sustainable working relationship with MSME development.The CEC termed their visit timely to the department stating that the department’s focus is to link and network entrepreneurs with projects that have huge benefits.

Trade CEC  Jacob Tanui

Briefing the department’s technical officers drawn from different sub sectors through the mandate and interest the institute has in Nandi County, Evans Oyaro who is Consultancy and Capacity Building HOD said that the Kenya Institute of Business Training is a nonprofit making entrepreneur center and the only government body charged with training entrepreneurs in the country. He added that the institute seeks to collaborate and partner with the county government in a bid to train its employees in matters concerning entrepreneurship, business development and on-site consultancy on SMEs

The collaboration between the institute and the county government will help establish a memorandum of understanding which will in turn assist the county pull resources together to benefit the micro, small and medium enterprises.

The training institute targets to undertake; capacity building for informal traders, develop entrepreneurial culture among youth through training, create linkages and develop women entrepreneurship programs to ensure high incidence of entrepreneurial success.
Present during the meeting was CO Trade and investment Feizal Mohamed and the Director for Enterprise development Jonah Bwambok, Gideon Njogu, Lead Consultant on Productivity and Quality Management (KIBT) and Samson Owando Lecturer (KIBT).

The Nandi County Alcoholic Drinks Regulation Committee tabled reports on application for liquor annual licensing which is part of a process that began in February.

The committee which is made up of the CEC for Trade Investment and Industrialization, Sub County Administrators, Sub County Secretaries and representatives from liquor licensing and control directorate met at the Trade Department boardroom where they discussed reports that were submitted by the Sub county Administrators.

Presenting their reports before the committee, Sub County Administrators said that there is public outcry against existence of bars in their localities. They said that majority of the residents complain that they have lost their children to alcoholic addiction and immorality.

They reported that many children have dropped out of school and indulged in leisure activities such gambling and pool table games which in their view, is brought about by the existence of liquor outlets. They also mentioned the increasing cases of theft and rape which were attributed to establishment of bars.

Other challenges mentioned include liquor sellers bribing the public during public participation exercises to lure them into supporting the existence of alcoholic outlets in their areas.

The CEC Trade, Investment and Industrialization Jacob Tanui agreed that these were indeed serious challenges that need to be addressed immediately. Tanui  noted that Nandi County, like other counties is fighting the production sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks on serious grounds and is not giving up the fight anytime soon.

A good example is Nairobi County which is reported to have proposed a Bill seeking to reduce the number of bars in the city from 12,500 to only 3000 outlets.

The Chief Officer for Enterprise and Industrialization Faizal Mohammed urged the Sub County Administrators to come up with measures that will help reduce Alcohol consumption thus aid in reducing the percentage of alcohol outlets to be licensed, such as enforcement and rehabilitation.

He promised to give them all the necessary support so as to ensure that production, sale and consumption of alcoholic drinks within the county is under control.

Boda boda operators and other motorists are assured of value for money at the pump as the County Government’s Weights and Measures team is carrying out weights and measures verification exercise across the county. According to a gazette notice on the Dailies published by the County Government of Nandi the exercise kicked off in March and is expected to end in May.

The unit which is under the department of Trade Investment and Industrialization plays a role of ensuring there is fairness among traders  is achieved within the county. It is also mandated to check calibrate and verify weights and measures including Counter scales, Electronic scales, Weighbridges and Fuel pumps among others.

Compliant traders are usually issued with Certificates of verification.  in the current exercise, the  team led by Weights and Measures expert Elizaphan Motende  conducted the exercise Nandi Hills and Tinderet Sub counties where a number of traders brought their scales to be verified. They also went round petrol stations to inspect fuel pumps in all parts of the County.

The department of Trade Investment and Industrialization Financial Year 2018-2019 allocated a budget of Ksh 4 million to facilitate the construction of Mosoriot Bus Terminus. The  project is now a reality in Mosoriot Chesumei -Sub County   thanks to the County Government of Nandi.

The presence of many vehicles around the area necessitated the County Government of Nandi to build a modern bus park so that it can help decrease congestion in the town.

According to the C.O Dr Rose Boit the project came at a timely period where the County Government of Nandi under the leadership of Governor Stephen sang is working hard to improve the state of infrastructure in the entire County to boost trade.

Owing to the expansion of Mosoriot Centre the population has been increasing by day. This is as a result of establishment of learning institutions such as Cheparit Youth Polytachnic, Mosoriot Teachers Training College, Kenya Medical Training College not to mention the upcoming Koitalel Samoei University.

The construction of the bus terminus is justified by the fact that some students commute to and from different destination on a daily basis.  Located along the highway, Mosoriot Centre also serves as a connection point for commuters from different destinations such as Ndalat, Kaiboi, Kabiyet, Kipkaren Selia and several other parts of Mosop to either Kapsabet, Eldoret, Kisumu or Kakamega.

With the large number of traffic, small medium enterprises present in the area, the County Government deemed it prudent to have a bus park constructed off the road for the convenience of passengers.

The amenity is expected to reduce parking congestion, allow parking between journeys, passengers to change vehicles between different routes of their choice and reduce the risks of parking along the highway.

The County Government of Nandi participated in a 2-day workshop organized by the Lake Region Economic bloc, with support from SUNY AHADI, at Kisumu’s Grand Royal Swiss Hotel on 25th and 26th Feb.

The bloc is gearing towards developing a Trading Framework that will see the member counties accelerate economic growth by boosting inter county Trade between the member counties.

Moreover, the bloc is developing LREB Resource Map to identify and highlight member counties comparative and competitive advantages.

Present in the meeting were the CECs for Trade & Industrialization, Tourism, Agriculture and Economic as well as Legal advisors from the 14 Counties.

Consultant Dr. Wilson Songa, a trade policies expert, took members through the key areas of collaboration and cooperation within the LREB Member Counties, as they look at the national policies and legal framework that will help guide development of trading policies and legislations within the bloc to create a universal framework for trade while promoting interdependecy.

Dr. Songa emphasized the importance of collaboration and cooperation which will enable the members to utilize shared resources within the region. He also took the members through key elements for development of a Trade and Industrialization MOU for the Lake Region Economic Bloc.

The two day meeting culminated with a Trading document that is set to give the Bloc the direction on which commodities are available for trade in the member counties.

Nandi county is set to benefit from this through enhanced trade, increased investment and industrial development.

With the establishment of the Nandi County Dairy Processing plant, for instance, the county is assured of ready market that is LREB member counties. Harmonization of policies is the first step to easening business.

The Department of Trade, Investment and Industrialization is in the course of providing market infrastructure to traders across the County.

This is, in line with Governor Sang’s Manifesto of ‘Transforming the County. In the manifesto, the Governor promised to provide sheds and modern stalls to small scale business persons and through the department of Trade, process of setting up market stalls in selected wards across the county in the first financial year is complete.

The, Maraba market stalls in Songhor-Soba ward is complete with a set of 9 fabricated branded units to be issued to traders. The stalls are located within the established Maraba market, along with support amenities like ablution block, a livestock sale yard and an office block.

Another set of 12 fabricated unit stalls have been constructed in Kaptumo,Aldai Sub-county, nearing completion. These are branded stalls with shutter doors to ensure security of the stalls.

Other market stalls are to be constructed at Mosoriot,Kabiyet and Baraton, with the department working closely with ward administration and market committees in monitoring the construction.

The establishment of market stalls is projected to boost revenue collection through market levies. The department shall progressively set up more stalls in bid to promote trade and commerce in the county.

The County government of Nandi through the department of trade,investment and industrialization is keen on delivering the transformation agenda by establishing market infrastructure and related amenities for the people of Nandi county.

The department has established a market stalls in Maraba, Songhor-Soba ward, whose scope of works include fencing of the market, leveling of the open air market space and construction of ablution block. There is a sale yard established for sale of livestock. An office block has also been constructed for administration purposes.The department plans also plans to set up a jua kali shed in this financial year.

In Kobujoi, the department has completed the construction of the Economic Stimuli Program market and is now ready for use. It has provided road access to the market. Fencing has been done at the same market.

The department is engaging with Economic Stimulus Program(ESP) to ensure other support infrastructure is provided in Kobujoi.

The same arrangement shall apply in establishment of market in Mosoriot center. ESP has requested the department to highlight key areas of support.

Another market was established in Kamungei, Mosop subcounty. Fencing was done and a livestock sale yard constructed. The market  also has an office block established.

The department has plans to establish more markets in the next financial years.

The county government of Nandi through the department of trade,investment and industrialization is keen on delivering the transformation agenda by establishing market infrastructure and related amenities for the people of nandi county.

The department has established a market infrustrure in Maraba, Songhor-Soba ward, whose scope of works include fencing of the market, levelling of the open air market space and construction of ablution block. There is a sale yard established for sale of livestock. An office block has also been constructed for administration purposes.The department plans to set up a jua kali shed in this financial year.

In Kobujoi, the department has completed the construction of the ESP market and is now ready for use. It has provided road access to the market. Fencing has been done at the same market.
The department is engaging with Economic Stimulus Program(ESP) to ensure other support infrastructure is provided in Kobujoi. The same arrangement shall apply in establishment of market in Mosoriot center. ESP has requested the department to highlight key areas of support.

Another market was established in Kamungei, Mosop subcounty. Fencing was done and a livestock sale yard constructed. The market has an office block established.
The department has plans to establish more markets in the next financial years.

Nandi participates in County Economic Bloc Policy review

The county of Nandi participated in the County Economic Bloc Policy review that was held in Eldoret.

The county government of Nandi took part in reviewing and analysing the proposed policy on The Establishment of Economic Blocs by County Governments. The policy was prepared by the Ministry of Devolution and ASALs.

The move to have a policy guiding County Economic blocs follows the President’s directive which was issued during the Lake Region Economic Bloc Trade,Investment and Blue Economy conference that was held in Bomet County on October 2018.

The policy is set to guide counties when forming and joining County Economic Blocs(CEBs).

Forty five out of the country’s forty seven counties are members of one or more blocs with Six blocs having been formed so far.

Nandi County is a member of two blocs, the North Rift Economic Bloc and Lake Region Economic Block.

Deputy Governor Dr Yulita Cheruiyot and the CECM for Trade and Investment Mr Jacob Tanui led the county’s delegation at the policy review meeting.

The policy states the rationale for the policy framework, considering the emerging issues affecting the six blocs, and suggests a Model Agreement to guide formation and management of these blocs.

The policy further proposes a governance structure and roles of the various organs to be adopted during establishment.

It also outlines best practises to be adopted in planning, budgeting and financing joint programs and projects.

The Ministry hopes that the document will help smoothen the process of formation of CEBs as well as that of undertaking joint projects and programs.