Politics should not derail formation of Lake Region Economic bloc, says oparanya.

 Chairman of the Lake Region Economic Bloc Wickliffe Oparanya address stakeholders during a sensitization workshop on the Bloc in Kisumu where he says politics should not derail its formation-Photo By Dickson Odhiambo.

 By Dickson Odhiambo.

July 6, 2018

Politics should not derail formation of Lake Region Economic bloc, says oparanya.

POLITICS should not interfere with the process of forming the Lake region economic Bloc, Kakamega Governor Wickliffe Oparanya has said.

Oparanya who is the Chairman of the Lake Region Economic Bloc comprising of 14 counties says already a bill to legalize the formation of the Bloc has been developed and County Assemblies of the 14 member counties are expected to debate and approve it.

Speaking in Kisumu during a sensitization workshop for various stakeholders to enlighten them on the Lake Region Economic Bloc, Oparanya said politics should not be seen to be interfering with the process of forming the bloc since it has greater benefit when formed by the 14 counties.

The Lake Region Economic Bloc Chairman says it is good for the 14 counties to come together and form the bloc for a common purpose, adding that there are various economic benefits which member counties will enjoy hence politics should not override its formation.

He says one of such economic benefit for the 14 member counties will be the revival of the collapsed sugar factories within the region.

“When formed, this bloc will really help in the revival of the collapsed sugar factories simply because it is very much possible when we are united and have a common Goal as a the Lake Region Economic Bloc.We have come up with measures to revive the sugar factories which have collapsed,” he says.

He also says LREB will also help in strengthening fish Industry as a bloc where fish processing factory will be established once the Bloc is formed and become operational.

Oparanya urges Members of the County Assemblies in the 14 Counties to debate and pass the Lake Region Economic Bloc Bill which has been forwarded to their Assemblies so as to legalize its formation.

Oparanya’s sentiment comes barely a few days after Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o assured the residents of the county that the formation of the bloc is on the right course.

“The Lake Region Economic Bloc Bill is already at the County Assemblies of the Member Counties and we are asking the MCAs to debate and pass it so as legalize the formation of the bloc,” Oparanya adds.

The Lake Region Economic Bloc {LREB} is a conglomerate of fourteen counties which have integrated for purposes of socio-economic development and regional prosperity.

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.

The 14 Counties have similar ecological zones and natural resources; they have analogous cultural histories that date back to historical migrations and trading routes.

A partnership between the counties is both essential and timely and creates a practical framework through which county government efforts can be pooled to harness the abundant natural resources, build on existing strengths and address challenges.

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.

It 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.

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