There is need for social dialogue with County Governments, FKE Boss says.

 Federation of Kenya Employers Executive Director Jackline Mugo address its 38th AGM in Kisumu.She says there is need to have a framework that supports social dialogue among Employers, County Governments and Business Community-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo

By Dickson Odhiambo.

April 5, 2018.

There is need for social dialogue with County Governments, FKE Boss says.

THERE is need for social dialogue among employers, County Governments and business community, Federation of Kenya Employers has said.

Federation of Kenya Employers Executive Director Jackline Mugo says there is need to have a framework that supports social dialogue bringing the three parties together.

Addressing  the FKE 38^th Annual General Meeting held in Kisumu, Mugo says FKE  is committed to ensure that it works together with the County Governments to address the issue of lack of skills in the economy.

“County Governments should work on a framework that can support social dialogue between employers, employees and public,” Mugo says. 

She adds that there is also need to make sectors like Agriculture, Livestock and Fishing more viable, adding that the issue of infrastructure also needs to be addressed.

The FKE at the same time now wants the Kenya Power Company to address the issue of frequent power surges and blackouts within Western and Nyanza region.

Western Kenya branch of Federation of Kenya Employers (FKE) want the national power distributor ensure there is constant power supply without power outages and blackouts.

Branch regional President of FKE Charles Owele says rampant power surges and blackouts affects businesses and companies and effort to create employment opportunities.

“Two days cannot pass without power interruption in one place or the other within the larger Western Kenya region,” Owele says.

 He says the power outages have not only affected production costs but also serious damage to industrial equipment and domestic appliances in the region, adding that the employers have called on the Kenya Power to address the contentious issue of high cost of power in the country. 

The FKE Western Kenya Branch President has also raised concerns over the slow pace of road construction between Kakamega and Webuye which was worsened by the electoral stand-off last year.

He adds that the Mamboleo- Miwani and Chemelil- Muhoroni road that connects Kisumu County with Nandi and Kericho counties has been impassable for the last four years, adding that Kenya National Highways Authority should address the situation for the benefit of all.

“The rural access roads are in deplorable condition. They are impassable especially during the rainy season for goods and services to reach the market on time,” Owele adds.

Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o has blamed the slow economic growth in the region to constant power outages.

Nyong’o has suggested that counties should be allowed to produce their own power supply as alternative private utility.

 

 “County governments need to be allowed to start generating their power so as to help breaking the monopoly tendency enjoyed by the Kenya Power it is not rocket science to have such.,” Nyong’o says.

Nyong’o said a serious meeting should be held between county governments and Kenya power management in Nairobi to discuss constant power outages in various counties.

He says the counties have a choice of seeking power services from other would-be providers who can assure them of steady supply if Kenya Power cannot tackle the issue of constant power outages.

The Kisumu Governor assures investors that the county will upgrade some of the roads and reduce bureaucracies as a way of attracting them.

“We have already held a meeting with the KenHa that has committed to expedite the construction of Mamboleo- Muhoroni road with the county rehabilitating and maintain other roads in an effort to improve accessibility,” he says.

At the same time, Governor Nyong’o is urging investors to take advantage of the newly formed Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) that comprises of 14 counties for investments.

The 14 Counties under the bloc include Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Nandi, Bomet and Trans Nzoia. Others are Vihiga, Kakamega,Bungoma and Busia.

He says the LREB’s economic Blueprint was born out of the understanding that strategic connections between counties with shared interest seated in a desire for mutual benefit can be an effective intelligent means of increasing the possibility of creating notable development impact across several counties.

The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) has a vision of being a world class bloc in promotion of sustainable, equitable socio-economic development for a better life while its mission is to achieve sustainable development through coordination, promotion, resource mobilization, innovation and enhancement of equitable economic integration in the Lake region.

 ENDS: