Governor James Orengo has this evening hosted the Siaya Business Community for a consultative meeting in preparation for the highly anticipated Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference ( SITICO).
The event hosted at White House Hotel in Siaya included representatives from various sectors of the economy across the county such as the Jua Kali Association, hoteliers, manufacturers, agribusiness, and boda boda operators, representatives from the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry ( Siaya Chapter) among others.
Themed "Positioning Siaya County as an Investment Destination: Transformative Growth through Trade and Investment", the four-day event to be hosted at the Siaya National Polytechnic from 14th to 17th October 2025 is a premier economic platform bringing together investors, private sector leaders, development partners, and key government institutions in marketing Siaya as a trade and an investment hub.
Governor Orengo expressed gratitude to the business community for their commitment to investing and boosting the county’s economy.
Reflecting on his interactions with renowned U.S. businessman George Soros alongside his late colleague Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, Orengo emphasized that business all over the world thrives through people, not governments.
“The world’s largest investments are driven by individuals, not governments,” he stated.
He urged the business community to register and participate in this inaugural event, highlighting their role as primary investors in the county.
Confirming President William Ruto’s attendance on October 16, Gov. Orengo assured participants that advanced preparations have been made to ensure the event’s success.
To spur economic growth and revitalize the County's rural economy, Governor Orengo announced plans to revive cotton farming, with funding allocated in the Financial Year 2025/2026 to modernize the cotton ginnery in Rarieda.
He highlighted National Government projects, such as the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) markets, the phase II upgrade of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium, modern Siaya referral hospital, the planned construction of Usenge Port among other key projects to be implemented in collaboration with the National government aimed at creating a conducive environment for trade and investment.
On the proposed nuclear plant in Siaya, Governor Orengo underscored its significance, noting that it will contribute 6,000 megawatts to the national grid, significantly boosting the county and regional economy. He expressed confidence in the plant’s safety, stating that international safety concerns have been addressed.
The Governor also acknowledged the support of the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), banks, and other partners in planning the conference.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Enterprise, Industrialization, and Cooperatives, Mrs. Grace Agolla, said the conference aims to secure over KSh 10 billion through partnership deals with local and international investors.
She encouraged the business community to form umbrella organizations to strengthen their bargaining power and influence policy at both county and national levels.
Mrs. Agolla also urged business community to present financially viable projects during the conference.
Her colleague, Mr. Sylvester K’Okoth, CECM for Agriculture, Livestock, Food Security, and Blue Economy, reiterated the Nyalore administration’s commitment to offering fiscal incentives, such as tax waivers, and non-fiscal incentives, like investor-friendly policies, to attract investment.
K'Okoth added that programs like seed, fertilizer, and tractor hire subsidies under the “Long Rains Campaigns” are some of the administration's strategy to enhance food security in the county.
The Acting Chief Officer for Trade, Enterprise, Industrialization, and Cooperatives, Mrs. Elizabeth Adongo, recognized the critical role of the service industry in supporting trade and investment in Siaya. She noted that 18 to 25 projects are in the pipeline, with some ready for signing during the conference.
Mrs. Adongo also announced the availability of the Siaya International Trade and Investment Handbook to help investors advertise their businesses. She confirmed that the SITICO Secretariat is available 24/7 to address queries and facilitate delegate and exhibitor registration.
Mr. Victor Nyagaya, Chairperson of the SITICO 2025 Planning Committee, praised the Siaya business community’s ownership of the conference and emphasized its apolitical nature.
Nyang'aya who also double as the CEO for the Lake Region Economic Block bringing together the 14 lake region counties called for greater efforts to attract Foreign Direct Investment and negotiate partnerships.
The event was attended by County Secretary Mr. Joseph Ogutu; CECMs Mr. Maurice McOrege (Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development) and Dr. Martin K’Onyango (Health and Sanitation); County Youth Coordinator Hon. Fredrick Opang’a, representatives from Kenya Bureau of Standards led by the Regional Manager Madam Ruth Ogweno, among others.