Residents of Machakos have been told to invest back in the county to spur development in a bid to improve the region's economy.

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Addressing the press in Athi River town on Thursday, Tom Mutinda, a Nairobi-based businessman, said it was high time people invested in their back yards.

“It is high time residents of Machakos County; both living within or outside the county, invested home to spur development and improve this region's economy,” said Mutinda.

He argued that it was not wise for entrepreneurs to invest much outside their backyards, with no investments in regions where they hailed from.

He said all those who have the ability to invest should return to their respective homes and do something which would impact on the residents who they can easily identify with.

The local investor said residents should devolve their businesses alongside other investments in line with the constitution that encourages devolution.

He identified the mortgage sector as most viable and marketable in Athi River town and its environs, due to increasing housing demand following high numbers of people settling in Mavoko Sub-county and Machakos County at large, due to increased job opportunities created by devolution.