The upcoming Nyanza International Investment Conference received a major boost after it secured critical support from Kenya’s largest teachers’ union, the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut).

Led by Secretary General, Collins Oyuu, the teachers’ umbrella body has pledged its full backing for the conference and promised to mobilise its members to attend in large numbers.

Knut’s endorsement adds substantial weight to the event, signalling broad-based support for the initiative. The union boasts a robust network of 110 branches nationwide.

The conference, scheduled from February 6 to 8, 2025 in Kisumu City, aims to tap into the expertise and networks of professionals and businesses in the Nyanza region, with the goal of unlocking investment opportunities and driving sustainable development in the region. The conference’s theme is, ‘Nyanza Rising: Towards Economic Transformation for Social-Economic Growth and Development.’

According to Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, the event will serve as a platform to bridge the gap between professional expertise and government efforts in development.

Owalo noted that development has been largely left to the two levels of government, the county on one hand and national government on the other but because of the politics around governance, professionals have been taking a backseat only to emerge complaining about underperformance at both levels of government.

“So, we decided to do it differently by pooling our resources and reaching out to professionals and prospective investors, and the best platform is none other than the international investment conference,” he said.

The conference will take a more participatory approach, enabling professionals to directly contribute to discussions on investment opportunities.

By engaging with both local and international stakeholders, the event seeks to position the entire region as a viable investment hub.

Regional bloc

Among those involved in the outreach efforts are governors from the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB), an alliance of 14 counties dedicated to regional economic growth. The regional body was established to bring together all available resources, identify opportunities and to take an integrated approach to have all policies and activities in the Lake Region aligned towards sustainable quality of life. LREB members are Bomet, Bungoma, Busia, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Kericho, Kisii, Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Nyamira, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Vihiga and Uasin Gishu counties.

The event has also attracted interest from international partners, including the European Union, India, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

Knut’s involvement adds an important dimension to the conference. Oyuu emphasised that the role of teachers extends far beyond the classroom and into the broader societal development process.

“When you develop a teacher, you develop a child; and when you develop a child, you unlock the future of the nation,” he said.

He further underscored the value of the conference for teachers, noting that it will open doors to numerous opportunities for professional growth and regional development.

The conference is expected to provide a significant opportunity for collaboration between the private sector, professionals, and the political class, particularly as they focus on creating tangible outcomes for the region.

Interested investors

Japh Olende, chairman of the conference organising committee, observed that one of the main objectives is to produce “bankable instruments” to attract investments into the region. He added that each participating county will be able to showcase its investment priorities through a document called the Instrument Profile, which will serve as a guide for prospective investors.

“We aim to create a compelling case for investment in Nyanza by offering a clear, detailed profile of what the region has to offer,” Mr. Olende said, adding that their vision is to work hand-in-hand with Knut and other stakeholders to attract meaningful investments that can drive sustainable growth.

Apart from the anticipated local investor interest, the conference will also see participation from international investors from countries including China, Türkiye, and India. These international players will have the chance to explore opportunities in agriculture, technology, healthcare, and other critical sectors in Nyanza.

As part of Kenya’s commitment to regional economic development, LREB is one of the six economic blocs created to harmonise policies, mobilise resources, and foster collaboration among counties.

The Nyanza International Investment Conference will play a crucial role in elevating this vision, further solidifying Kisumu as a centre of economic and investment activity.

As the conference draws nearer, the involvement of Knut and other key stakeholders ensures that it will be a pivotal event in shaping the future of Nyanza’s economic landscape.