The National Government has been urged to partner with county governments to complete flagship projects through government-to-government funding.
Speaking to KNA in Kakamega, investment consultant Silvanus Abungu said the devolved units alone are struggling to complete mega projects that require a lot of funds.
“Flagship projects need to be done by both the national and the county governments through government-to-government funding; that is, the national government and the county government put their funds together to complete mega projects that need a lot of money,” he noted.
He explained that the flagship projects are well outlined in the Kenya Vision 2030 blue-print that would transform Kenya through economic growth and massive job creation once completed.
“Without implementing the flagship projects, we will not reduce poverty, we will not create jobs, and we will fail to revive or grow the economy of this country,” he explained.
Abungu also urged both the national and county governments to engage private investors through the Public Private Partnership (PPP) in establishing some of the projects, saying the PPP model has proved effective in spearheading development.
He also urged the government to explore donor funding, which is critical in helping finance some of the projects that have direct impacts on the community members.
Abungu said the country needs to move fast to attract investors to invest and improve the economy, create industries, and provide job opportunities for citizens.
He urged county governments in the western region to also identify their niche, which would enable investors to understand the areas where they can invest.
“I am grateful because governors have had the desire to woo investors in the western region through investment conferences, but we still need to understand the volume or magnitude of investments that we need to bring in these counties,” he noted.
He said Kenya is an investment hub and an attractive destination for investors, an opportunity that the country leadership should utilise before other countries take advantage.
“Investors are bringing money to invest in this continent, and Kenya is the best destination of the world when investors come to Africa, so we must prepare and plan accordingly and attract those investors before we lose them to other neighbouring countries,” he explained.
Abungu’s sentiments come at a time when the Kakamega County Government has been undertaking mega projects, which include the Bukhungu International Stadium and the Kakamega Level 6 Hospital.
The two projects have consumed millions of monies and are yet to be completed as the county government explores options of handing over the Level 6 hospital to the National Government to complete its construction, equip, and operationalise.
The County Government is also seeking support from the National Government to complete Bukhungu Stadium, whose construction has taken many years, with Governor Fernandes Barasa promising that the stadium will be fast tracked and completed in readiness for the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Governor Barasa has also reiterated his commitment to complete all projects that are under construction, together with all the projects that were initiated by the previous administration, including the ones that have stalled.
“We are not going to start new projects. I have instructed my officers to ensure we complete all projects that are under construction and revive and complete the ones that had stalled,” the governor noted while distributing county bursary funds cheques to beneficiary students.
By Moses Wekesa
