Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma has asked investors to venture in the lakeside region saying the county government has improved investment conditions in the area.
Speaking to this writer on phone, the governor cited improved security realised through increased public participation, information sharing and installation of floodlights in parts of the lakeside city as a key aspect investors should capitalise on.
“In a rare show of unity between residents and the police, locals have increasingly shared vital tip-offs with the police leading to arrest of dreaded criminal gang members in the county,” said Ranguma.
“The improvement is a good thing for both business and agricultural investments in the county. It shows residents have realised the need for peace and that is something investors should take note of,” he added.
Over the past one month, security has improved in the lakeside city. The police have gunned down 10 suspected hard-core criminals and arrested over 15 others in an intensified crackdown.
Police in the area attributed their successful missions to community policing through increased information sharing and public participation.
The governor also said investors should take advantage of infrastructure development within the county to set up their businesses and expand their operations in the lakeside city.
He cited the ongoing expansion of Kisumu International Airport and increasing shopping malls in the county saying while the former offers the most convenient mode of transportation, the latter gives adequate space for new investments and expansion of those already established.
"The airport plays an important role in business and agricultural development. As part of its expansion, we are constructing a cold storage plant, which will improve storage of perishable goods,” he said.
“In line with that, we are working with Vihiga county Governer Moses Akaranga to promote the transportation of horticulture from the county to foreign markets,” said Ranguma.
The airport is currently under a Sh600 million facelift program that will see its runway expanded from 40-60 metres, a standard similar to that of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi and that will allow direct international flights to and from the lakeside city.
Shopping malls have increased from three to five in the city in the last three years with Lake Basin Mall and Nakumatt Mega Plaza yet to be complete.
Governor Ranguma also mentioned the continuing lakefront development project as the perfect condition investors who intend to invest in hospitality, hotel and tourism industry should exploit.
“We are also working with the United Nations (UN) habitat, Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), and the Kenya Maritime Authority among others to ensure Kisumu gets the much desired lakefront. This will see Kisumu compete lakeside cities such as New York and Dubai among others,” added the governor.