Kisumu County Government has signed a Bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Morocco’s Regional Council of Rabat-Sale-Kenitra that will enhance bilateral collaboration between the two governments.
The MoU signed by Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o and the President of Rabat Rachid El Abdi is aimed at defining a new framework between the two governments.
It is based on the consolidation of south-south relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Kenya, decentralized international cooperation in various fields including tourism investments and the solidarity economy, coping with the COVID-19 pandemic, and sharing experiences of the continuous and distinct economic development achieved by the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra Regional Council with the County government of Kisumu.
President Abdi stated that he is keen on following in the footsteps of Moroccan King, Mohammed VI, who is determined to strengthen south-south cooperation and establish stable relationships between Morocco and African countries.
In a statement issued to the media on Tuesday, the governor noted that the pact had come at the right time having been postponed severally due to unavoidable circumstances until the new president came into office.
“I also want to thank Ambassador Dr. Mokhtar Gambou who worked tirelessly over the past two years to make this exchange happen, but thanks to COVID-19 containment strategies, it was postponed thrice. I think on hand sight nature was waiting for you to take office for this to happen,” said Prof. Nyong’o.
The county boss further added that Kisumu is gearing towards having a transformed waterfront that is economically inclusive and environmentally sustainable which he said was crystallized into four sustainable operational pillars.
The pillars include; infrastructure which aims at reclaiming and strengthening the lake shoreline and construction of a non-motorized promenade, marine business and trade with interventions in transport and marinas and fish processing, environment focusing on ecotourism, lakefront beautification and climate change mitigation, and support services with a focus to delineation and gazettement of geographical spheres of operation.
Prof. Nyong’o added that the implementation of the project is estimated to cost Sh. 40 billion and is to take a period of three years.
The Kisumu county boss expressed optimism that with the treaty, there is room and appropriate chance to put in efforts that will oversee the transformation of the socio-economic sector.
“It is, therefore, my belief that this journey of bilateral cooperation and partnership we are embarking on today through the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding will broaden and deepen the relationship between our local governments while providing a strategic framework for promoting and developing an environment of mutuality in furthering the exchange of beneficial socio-economic agenda,” said Prof. Nyong’o.
He requested a regular joint committee meeting to identify specific initiatives adding that he looked forward to a partnership of great impact.
“The joint committee stipulated in the agreement should therefore meet regularly to identify specific initiatives as well as take stock of activities to be implemented. I look forward to a very productive and fruitful partnership between our sister devolved governments,” declared the governor.
He also used the opportunity to invite the Morocco regional governments to participate in the upcoming Africities Summit scheduled for May in Kenya, Kisumu County.
By Peter K’Opiyo and Margaret Jobeyo
