UASIN GISHU COUNTY OVERVIEW

By Mr. Edwin Tarno, HSC

VENUE: gulab lochab hall- ELDORET DATE : 19TH – 20TH Aug, 2011

NORTH RIFT INVESTMENTCONFERENCE

Background of Uasin Gishu County.

• It is located in North Rift region• It has a population of 894,179 people.• Eldoret town is capital, administrative

and commercial centre of the county.• It is located in the plateau, a serene

environment with many agricultural activities.

• Eldoret town is rated as the second best growing town in Kenya as per U.N.D.P. survey.

INVESTMENTS CAPTURED INCLUDE:-BEE KEEPING & FISH FARMINGHORTICULTURETRANSPORTREAL ESTATEMEDICALHOSPITALITY & TOURISMEDUCATIONATHLETICSDAIRY FARMING & LIVESTOCKFINANCIAL INSTITUTIONSWHOLESALE & RETAILMANUFACTURING & INDUSTRIESMINING SECTOR …………… AND MANY OTHERS ……….

Strengths • Good climate conducive for agriculture• Natural attraction conducive for tourism• Large and growing consumer market• Available skilled and unskilled labour• Large number of tertiary institutions• Availability of ICT infrastructure• Availability of land for investments• Pro business local Authorities• Strong industrial clusters in specific sectors• Strategically positioned in EAC, Southern Sudan

and DRC markets

Weaknesses• Poor road infrastructure• Unreliable energy and water supply• High costs of energy• High cost of property and sites in main urban

areas.• Lack of Investment incentives from the local

government• Insecurity and crime• Corruption• Investment and trade information not utilized

Opportunities• Growing number of world class athletes who

can promote sports tourism.• Athletic talent that can promote the region

as an investment destination.• Resources from athletics can be tapped to

spur economic growth• Utilization of the International Airport for

export• Utilization of tertiary institutions in R&D to

catalyze development• Utilization of expertise in tertiary institutions

in capacity building and training.

Threats• Emergence of new counties that compete

vigorously for investors.• World economic recession has reduced

inward investments from key sources• High global prices of petroleum and its

products- farm inputs• High cost of living- increased urbanization.• Fluctuation in prices of commodities and

farm produce. • Unemployment/idleness of the youth

• Land fragmentation

County deliberations/way forward• Create a bypass to decongest Eldoret town and

proper planning of roads• Review the strategic plan of the town to reflect

the future plans• Address the issue of street children and security

in the urban areas.• County to invest in water and environmental

conservation • Value addition of fresh produce to enhance

market value.• Utilization of Eldoret international airport for

export and import

• Setting up a website for Uasin Gishu County Investment Forum

• Development of a strategic plan for Uasin Gishu County Investment Forum

• Developing an investment programme/plan for the County with input from all stakeholders

• High incentives for investments from county• More budgetary allocation for infrastructure• Enhance use of technology in food production.• Subsidy on farm inputs.• Design curricula for short courses for farmers

and business entrepreneurs.• Enhancement of group financing • Setting up of a modern regional abattoir

• Investment in sports tourisms/museum• One stop shop for licensing• Enhance railway transport and setting up of

an inland container terminal in Eldoret.• Setting up of an ICT park/BPO centre in the

region.

KongoiAsante

Thank you

BEE KEEPING AND FISHFARMING IN UASIN GISHU

Kimumu & Moi’s Bridge

KIMUMU – MARURA AREA

TRADITIONAL BEE HIVE

FISH FARM-CHEPKANGA AREA

HORTICULTURE IN

HORTICULTURE IN

UASIN GISHU

UASIN GISHU

SAGA

MANAGU

CHILI SPINACH

CABBAGES - CABBAGES - JERUSALEM ELDORETJERUSALEM ELDORET

RIFT VALLEY TECHNICAL TRAINING INSTITUTE - ELDORET