Uasin Gishu Governor Dr. Jonathan Bii, EGH has challenged Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest) to work on unique mechanisms such as strategic investor categories that would see investors choose and prioritize Kenya over the other African countries for investments.

The Governor says key mechanisms will realize investment promotion not only across the economic blocs but the nation at large.

Speaking on Tuesday during a public participation on the draft investment promotion and facilitation bill, 2023 organized by the authority, Governor Dr. Bii said stability of tax reforms, establishing grounds for ease of doing business, the reduction of cost of doing business, decentralization of services, meeting the threshold and categorization of businesses among other aspects will see investors certified and comfortable.

The County Boss called on the members of the public to come out and give their views on the bill that he says will greatly contribute to attraction of investors thus creation of job opportunities and growth of various economies.

County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Industrialization, Tourism, Cooperatives and Enterprise Development Martha Cheruto said that there is need to align all other economic and development plans such as County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and incorporate regional economic blocs to suit the plan.

“It is important to talk about how we can profile the region because they are the engines for promoting investments, have specific investments for specific blocs and standardization of the investment fee,” added Cheruto.

She further said the county administration through her docket is developing an Investment Bill and Policy to have more investors establish trade within the county.

On her part, KenInvest Chief Executive Officer(CEO) June Chepkemei said they are keen to introduce an element of coordination amongst various entities of trade calling on the business community and members of the public to interrogate the bill to address investor concerns for them to invest in the country and also to ensure that the players in the industry are vibrant.

“Through the review of this bill,we also seek to attain economic growth and employment creation for our youth,” added Chepkemei.

The review of the investment promotion and facilitation bill, 2004, was characterized by among others, the dynamic global best practices.

Meanwhile, Uasin Gishu County has been ranked position one countrywide on the ease of doing business by the Kenya County Business Support Index.

Uasin Gishu led with a score of 85%, followed by Nakuru and Kakamega counties at 59,% and 56% respectively.

Directors Isaac Lagat (Trade), Kipleting Mengich (Enterprise Development), Irene Kapting’ei (Industrialization and Investment), Roselyne Rae (Cooperative Commissioner), Samuel Wambugu (Cooperative Audit), Chair KNCCI Eldoret chapter Willy Kenei, were among present.