MY PROPOSAL FOR THE COUNTY OF NAKURU

CASE IN POINT: OLKARIA WARD AND NAIVASHA CONSTITUENCY

SUBJECT: TOWARDS AN INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE

GOVERNANCE SYSTEM CHARACTERIZED BY A
WELL DELIBERATED ECONOMIC GROWTH AND
CONVENTIONAL DEVELOPMENT.
(NAKURU COUNTY GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC
FRAMEWORK (2017-2022).

Abstract
This concept paper /proposal highlights some of the answers and solutions to inclusive growth
and sustainable development as pathway to that mostly preferred conventional development
aiming at helping Nakuru County Government in translating its vision and Mission into reality.
It highlights some of County sectors to put much focus on and hold them as of priority. It also
showcases catalytic and forward looking projects, transformations and ideas that can underpin a
transition towards achieving an inclusive Economic Growth of Nakuru County’s Economy. The
Action plan (way Forward) for a successful transition of the County’s economy characterized by
positive progress maps out how challenges could arise during implementation and Execution of
County programs. With the developing world being in the process of rapid, yet uneven
development, its geography, Diversity and weak central governance all factor an environment
where acute and sober governance becomes a valuable need in achieving progress.

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Acknowledgements:
The concept paper has been prepared by Mr. James Wokabi Wambugu, a career economist
(B.A.Econ) and who recently contested for a member County Assembly position in Olkaria
Ward-Naivasha, on a KANU ticket (August 2017 polls). A good amount of valuable
information, ideas and data have also been supplied by Mr. Patrick Ndungu (Agriculture
Economist), James Shikwati (IRENE CEO), Kwame Owino (CEO, IEA-Kenya), Nehemia
Njamba (Think Tank on Commerce & Tourism), Mr. Martin Kariuki (Think Tank), David Kilo
(Fisherman), among others.

Key Words
• Inclusive Growth.
• Resilience.
• Pro-poor Growth.
• Cage Agriculture.
• Artisanal Fishermen.
• Blue Economy.
• Flora and Fauna.
• Riparian Land.

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A: Introduction
Nakuru a County blessed with 11 constituencies (Sub counties) and 55 Wards to overlook at …...
Basically focus on both Economic and Social transformation with regard to all sectoral
enhancement. As a junior economist, who understands the essence of proper revitalization of
economies in respect to improving livelihoods. I would appreciate if the following Key areas are
taken into consideration :-
1. Human and institutional capacity in the Nakuru County Civil service.
2. Revenue collection.
3. Proper decentralization and an inclusive approach to development this with effect to
equal distribution of income and provision of domestic financial resources.
4. Agriculture
5. Tourism.
6. Infrastructure and Industries.
7. Lands.
8. Youths and unemployment.
9. Infrastructural Development
10. County Health Sector

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B: Background.
All low income counties have the potential for dynamic economic growth. We know this
because we have seen it happen repeatedly; a poor, agrarian economy transforms itself into a
middle, or even high income urban economy in one or two generations.

The Key is to capture the window of opportunity for industrialisation arising from the
relocation of light manufacturing from higher-income counties. That was true in the 19th and
20th centuries, and it remains true today,

Japan seized its opportunity in the years following World War II, using labour intensive
industries such as textiles and simple electronics, to drive its economy until rising labour costs
eroded its comparative advantage in those sectors.

That shift then allowed other low-income Asian economies – South Korea, Taiwan, Hongkong,
Singapore and to some extent, Malasia and Thailand – follow in Japan footsteps.

China, of course, is the region’s most recent traveller along this well-trodden path. After more
than three decades of breakneck economic growth, it has transformed itself from one of the
poorest countries on earth to the world’s largest economy. And now that China, too is beginning
to lose its comparative advantage in labour – intensive industries, other developing countries –
especially in Africa – are set to take its place. I count Kenya to be amongst the first to adopt that
path.

Indeed, ever since the industrial Revolution, the rise of light manufacturing has driven a dramatic
rise in national income. The UK’s economic transformation started with textiles. In Belgium,
France, Sweden, Denmark, Italy and Switzerland, light manufacturing led the way. Similarly, in
the US cities like Boston, Baltimore and Philadelphia became centers for producing textiles,
garments and shoes.

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Until recently, few believed that Africa, too, could become a centre for modern manufacturing.
But, with the right policies, there is no reason why Africa counties cannot follow a similar
trajectory.

Consider –land-locked Ethiopia, which only 10 years ago seemed to be an especially bad bet.
But then, the country built an industrial park near Addis Ababa and invited the Chinese
shoemaker Huajian to open factory there, and now the Company employs over 3,500 workers in
Ethiopia producing more than two million shoes a year.

Now that Kenya has gone devolved, chances for a decentralized Country with an all round
development is then guaranteed. As the County Chief, then it beckons unto you to take that
mantle of governance and lead on the front by showing the world that Nakuru indeed can
spearhead this best alternative path to a successful and developed nation.

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1. INCLUSIVE GROWTH: As County Development Ideology of choice.

Within the Fourth Schedule, 2nd Part where the constitution highlights on the distribution of
functions and power of the County government, Agriculture and Fisheries falls on the very first
batch. And it falls as a cordial obligation on county governments to promote social and
economical development with its provision being proximate and services easily accessible
countrywide. This as clearly stipulated in the 2 nd Chapter, 1st part on the objects of devolution
(objects and principals of devolved governments)
The Governor as the Chief County Officer and as the Chief custodian of Nakuru County Affairs,
both Social, Economical and Political, then I suggest that an Inclusive Approach to economic
growth as the way to go.

NB: Inclusive Growth- It Supercedes Economic Growth and even more than broad-based
growth as it is multi-disciplinary, entirely forward looking and a non-discriminatory growth that
grants equal access to economic growth by reducing disparities of disadvantaged groups.

Inclusive Growth provides the following:

• Sustainability where the rate of growth can be maintained without creating other significant
problems especially for future problems.
• A realistically attainable growth , where any entities (Companies, government) can maintain
without running into problems.
• Fosters competitiveness, where an inclusive policy perspective through the rural-urban
dynamics guarantees real development,
• Social development: Inclusive approach to growth give room to policies for social inclusion
and equity cluster, where gender equality, equity of public resource use, building of proper
human resources, social protection and labour, healthy institution capacity thus creating an
environment of equality and opportunities in all dimensions of livelihoods e.g. employment
creation, increase in production, rise of standards of living, reduce rich-poor gap.
• Decentralization, (cross section /county growth) this is where it creates a paradigm shift of
growth in all regions and sectors within the county jurisdiction.
• Thus Inclusive Growth creates opportunities and expands access to services, declines

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 inequality in all sorts and also providing a pro-poor improvement in non-income dimensions.
• If Nakuru county can adopt Inclusive Growth Model and comprehensively implants in its all
undertakings, it can created a multidisciplinary idea which acts not just economically, not
solely political, but on all fronts.
• In general, Inclusive growth can be seen as an development model that coordinates Economic,
Political, Social, and other aspects of growth of an Economy.

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2. TRAINING AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING.
Institutions Matter, So Enhancement of Key
Lesson one:
“Institutions define the rules of the game.”
To guarantee an efficient county government professionalism, the county government public
service employees ought to be engaged in horizontal cooperation for the purpose of decent
working, proper service delivery and sustainable development. When direct knowledge
exchange happens in county institutions context: The following outcome becomes evident:
• Both the stakeholders involved (Private sector/ government) work in an enabling framework.
• Crucial planning process and structures meant for county development strategy becomes more
reliable and outcomes more predictable.
• The family government working structures and its programmes execution are more effective.
• Programmes conclusions are more meaningful.
• The follow-ups are better communicated, shared and adopted.
The choice of facilitating Institutional framework is a key success factor. County Institutions
that have a cost-effective and Scientific approach to the mission and vision – methodology,
process, working tools, analytical capacities and learning action plan, and cost-efficiency – tend
to provide more efficiency and positive outcome of work.
• Moving from special purpose projects to longer term programmes would also help county
institutions value Addition on the County Public Service (CPS).

Lesson two:
To guarantee efficiency in the working of the county government with high quality professional.
Services and building innovative products, investment should be made in training, upgrading and
continuous professional development for all those who, in their various functions, are involved in
the County Development and supply chain.

Rationale:
Training at every level in the county government sectors should be considered as a Key element
for the development and implementation of adequate economic policies and a range of
professional services in line with the ever-growing expectations of the public. Updates know-

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how and technological resources that contribute to the continuous redefinition of the planning,
realization and management of building projects and services requires specific skills. This
includes not only basic training at the managerial level, but also continuous professional
development and refresher courses for all factors in County Government and related professional
services. Thus should be in line with not only national but international standards of devolution.

Key Indicators.
a) Training of adequately prepared higher qualified up-to-date professionals in county
government sectors needed.
b) Success to various levels of training on the job is needed and should be guaranteed and
encouraged to support county employees (i.e transition from University or Post Graduate
training to the professional county public servants).
c) Professional refresher causes should be encouraged not only as a prerequisite for quality
professional services, but also a driver of mobility within county sectors (e.g. training on
revenue collection, Essence of devolution, public policy, project management etc.).
d) Adequate training essential for achieving and income cases to reinforcing – a culture of
high standard service delivery, top-quality production and efficient management and
maintenance of county government operations. Successful policies will contribute to
innovative development process and to the evolution of county government services and
products.
e) The implementation of the standardization of methodologies and uniform technical
language should be promised.
f) A broader community of experts in economic development and supply chain should be
involved. This would be in line with efforts to promote the greening of county
investment markets, through developing innovative solutions for all sectors and making
decentralization evident.
g) The planning and design of effective systems to monitor and evaluate activities related to
county government working operations, their implementation and results, should be
fostered.
h) The interests of the public in all sections of the county should be better promoted and
protected, pursuing improved efficiency of development programs and stimulating

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 innovative and qualitative services. On the other hand, the education of the public is also
essential (civic education).
i) The public and all areas of the county and the investors should be more aware of their
rights, which would increase their awareness and enable them to make more informed
decisions.

Lesson three.
 Well structured Financing is crucial.
Evidence – Based Management is essential to secure continuous learning and improvement of
county public service. The Effectiveness of the county public service cooperation is shaped by
the adequacy, predictability and continuity of county activities and therefore enough funding
crucial. Ad Hoc financing of a stand-alone projection will deliver the expected results of a well-
designed and well-executed project, but only for a few actors/participants, often at a relatively
high per unit cost.

 A more programmatic approach, a systemic effort to mainstream the county public

service and matching, structured financing will establish a level playing field, multipliers
and economics of scale, as scaling up is in-built. Adoption of longer-term programmes
and well funded to accommodate a high number of county public service coupled with a
higher probability of sustainability helps a lot by facilitating knowledge and expenses
exchanges between all actors and practitioners of development.

 The development of active county government websites as a platform to support the

continued learning by county public service workers can be very beneficial in scaling up
knowledge exchange activities (i.e Discussions and Studies on participation in county
development).

 County knowledge Hubs “as county governments centres of excellence designed to create
or capture new knowledge and customized to meet specific county needs. The Hubs
promote exchange of knowledge and information within the county, and support the
creation of a pool.

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3. YOUTH: Realization of Nakuru County Youth Employment and Welfare

Unemployment in Kenya is alarmingly high. Kenya has the largest number of jobless youth in
East Africa, putting a strain on the economy’s growth and also threatening peace and security as
hopeless young people gravitate towards violent extreme. And as much as the central
government has structures working towards saving youth unemployment levels, the County
government should also consider it as also their obligation.

Youth form two-thirds of Kenya’s population – (many unemployed) with the ratio of youth
unemployment to overall adult unemployment at 46 percent, according to the 2009 Kenya
Population and Housing Census. There are eight dependants for every 10 working Kenyan’s,
meaning the average worker will often have little left to save or invest for growth.

While this youth bulge may seem like a disaster in the making, however, investing in the sectors
with the highest potential can turn into a gateway to rapid economic growth and development as
we have seen among “Asian Tigers’ such as Singapore, South Korea and Malaysia.

Work gives the youth of any nation a sense of worthiness, income, socialization and commitment
to the nations and national values. Kenya vision 2030 is self-defeating in some areas as its focus
is not employment but in general economic growth driven especially by foreign investments.
For this reason, foreigners are buying prime agricultural land in central province to build palatial
residential gated homes while uprooting our black gold coffee that has been offering decent
employment for thousand of youths, yet industrialization is declining.
The National Accord noted that youth unemployment was a Kenya underlying force driving the
2008 post –election violence and crises. Youth unemployment has not been alleviated
significantly but only been compounded as the institute of Economic Affairs pointed in their
ground breaking research in 2009 / 2010.

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By all projections, Agriculture presents this opportunity. And while the African Union has
recognized agriculture as the driving free of social and economic transformation, the youth often
feel that farming lacks the glamour, the sophistication and the allure of the professions they seek.
Young people need interesting and exciting ventures where they can utilize their energy and
make money – Stereotyping agriculture, as a reserve of the less educated or those that have
retired should stop.

It is regrettable. Africa not only has the largest percent of arable land and untapped potential for
irrigated agro-pastrolism on its vest arid and semi –arid stands. But it also has the highest ration
of young people with the necessary knowledge , innovative skills and physical strength.

With youths dynamism, enthusiasm and innovativeness, the youth are the greats asset and a force
for improving the productivity and growth of all sectors in Kenya. But to reaps the dividends,
Kenyans priority focus needs to be on growth in sectors that can absorb them, particularly
agriculture.

Policies must also ensure that women and girls, who do most of the actual work in farms across
Africa, can achieve their potential. I therefore suggest deliberate measures through adoption of a
policy framework at the County level, of which can tame unemployment and help rehabilitate
jobless youths of Nakuru County. For a successful deliberation by the Nakuru County
government in working out for the youths plight, the following should be done:
i. That a County Youth Employment strategy to be developed (2017-2022 Plan) in
consultation with all stakeholders. The strategy shall clearly outline how the County
government through various incentives and policies shall work with commercial and
social enterprises to create employment for the Nakuru County youths on a sustainable
basis.
ii. The strategy should provide for the establishment of County Youth Career and
entrepreneurship Bureaus /Centres (Vituo Vya Kazi) operators to enable School leavers
and young people access career counseling services and to be linked to employment
opportunities, education and training institutions across the county and worldwide.

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 iii. Publication of all county government assets and opportunities and the youth to access the
appropriateness of the use of the same assets towards development. To this I propose a
formulation of a policy by the County government to give the youths, bonafide from
Nakuru county, that first priority in the allocation of unused lands, government offices,
stadiums, public parks, show grounds, houses and halls for the understanding of youth
enterprises, economic development and the eking of livelihoods. Internships should be
offered to orient learning youths in the job market.
iv. That effective Affirmative economic policy that focus on the promotion of Youth led and
driven cooperative society development in Nakuru county are developed and
implemented to raise capital at affordable rates for young people’s entrepreneurship.
v. Ensure that legal registration of youth enterprises is easier and dynamic to appreciate the
nature of the youth enterprises. For example Youth owned premises (shop outlets
/kiosks) or companies /agencies should be permitted to use the county government
facilities outlined above as addresses for purposes of registration.
vi. Financing of growth enterprises be increased significantly through youth friendly
financial vehicles including the recently proposed county-based-youth driven cooperative
societies.
vii. Affirmative active action for youth enterprises in county government tendering be
provided for in the said practical strategy. At least 40% of all county government
tendering should be allocated to young people’s companies and agencies. This requires
that the agencies that are tendering be linked and work in concert for this strategy to
work- (If possible, provision of a down payment incase less capital to carry out a tender).
viii. Provision of tax incentives and holidays for startup youth enterprises be provided for in
the county by-laws to encourage young people to set up enterprises that shall create
employment for more young people within Nakuru county. (Reducing charges on
business permits for the youth).
ix. Issue out a program for Youth Entrepreneurship educate, coaching and mentorship
services facilitated y the County government with the support of the national Realization
of Employment and Welfare for Kenya Youth through agencies that are competent in this
area.

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 x. Support innovation and creativity through setting up the innovation funding and
structures in learning institutions (Colleges / Universities) within Nakuru County
notwithstanding technical institutions that run innovation funding and structures should
secure the intellectual property rights of innovators to encourage more Nakuru County
young people into innovation, design and development of concepts which drive economic
transformation.

Nb:Nakuru County Youths Innovation Fund: The fund can be outsourced through soliciting
from private corporate firms, National government, international Financial Institutions (World
bank, IFC, IMF, EIB, KFW, China Exim Bank), International Donor organizations (UNIDO,
UNPP, ILO, GIZ, JICA, USAID, USADF etc) and foreign consulates (Embassy).
Lack of Collateral and financial literacy often make youths ineligible for financial assistance
while cultural norms deny them land inheritance rights and at times, restrict their movement and
access to markets for their produce.

With regards to Agriculture and Youth Employment the following should be adopted:
(a) Agro-Pastoralism: where it reduces food insecurity, create incomes and generally help
youth to feel engages and involved with the national development agenda. Those
promoting entrepreneurship in the county office must therefore include agribusiness as a
priority area of focus.
(b) Other exciting Agricultural related ventures where the County government can induce the
youths to take on are the following:
 Greenhouse farming
 Poultry Keeping.
 Rearing of Ornamental Birds e.g. Peacock, parrot and fish.
 Fish farming with the essence of Cage Farming or Ponds.
 Dogs Breeding.
 Pig Farming (with support from Farmers Choice).
 Rearing of Rabbits (support from Rabbit Republic).
 Trees planting..
 Animal Feeds processing

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  Agro-vet business
 Hydroponics Agriculture
 Bee keeping.

NB:
The power of the internet also offers a great opportunity for attracting youth in far-flung areas to
agriculture-packaging and disseminating information on agri-business to the youth through social
media platforms such as blogs, websites, twitter and face book has proven effective in Kenya.
Much more can be achieved with increased access to the internet, especially in the remote parts
of the County.

According to the world Bank African Agriculture and agribusiness could be worth $ 1 trillion
(Shs.100 trillion) by 2030. Clearly this is the low-hanging fruit that Kenya should aim to invest
in so as to solve the myriad problems associated with youth unemployment, with Nakuru County
to spearhead this ordeal.

I’ll still urge Mr. Governor to work aggressively and act as an example to other counties and the
Nation to extent. For instance, while in your foreign official trips, think of seeking opportunities
and partnerships i.e. Exchange Programmes for think tanks in Nakuru County and other Think
tanks from other Counties with agreement with the governors’ incharge (U.S.A, Nigeria, Congo,
Angola etc.).

Your position (Mr. Governor) is enough even to secure football contractual positions from
foreign counties (South Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Qatar, Iran) to our local talented youths in
Nakuru County. Through Aggressive marketing of Nakuru County wealth of human capital,
other notable sports which our County is blessed to be endowed with like Rugby, Athletics,
Cycling, Boxing etc. can also fall in.

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4. AGRICULTURE.
Dubai business community recently identified infrastructure, Tourism and Agriculture as the
sectors presenting the best opportunities for its members interested in investing in Kenya.
According to a study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Kenya has developed
into a hub for these sectors that are expected to be the drivers of the East African economy for
the coming years, and Nakuru County sits as the best bet for this.

Agriculture occupies a top position in the national economies as the sector serves as the key
driver of growth, wealth / job creation and poverty reduction. It is the leading economic activity
in sub-Saharan Africa as it contributes 30-50 percent of GDP and employs over 70 percent of the
population. Yet Agriculture does not attract financing whether from public or private sources,
commensurate with its contribution to the national economies. On average, agriculture only
receives 2-3 percent of financing. Growth in the sector has the best chance of wealth / job
creation resulting in poverty reduction.

In Africa Agriculture has been growing by around 4 percent annually over the past few years.
The rate was envisages to rise to at least 6 percent per annum, absorbing one third of the
unemployed people on the continent, as indicated in the 2003 Maputo Protocol. Agriculture
growth of 4 percent is not bad but still can be improved. Increasing productivity of Agriculture in
the continent is cardinal and thus vital for healthy economies.

Nb: If only the Malabo and Maputo declarations that was a unanimous joint pledge by
Africa countries in an AU summit could be adhered to, this by investing more for the
transformation of agriculture on the sentiment, then man economies could be far much
ahead, Kenya included.

It will be thus prudent for Nakuru County to adopt Agriculture as priority for the general growth
of the economy. Experience from elsewhere indicates a positive correction between
development and modernization of agriculture. Most of the countries that developed first
focused and modernized their agriculture. If Agriculture can be developed first, it will
henceforth become a springboard for growth of other sectors and the economy in general.

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The link between the financing and Agriculture sectors is one of the major constraints to the
transformation of agriculture sectors in Africa. Access to finance is Key to unlocking
agricultural potential and funding growth in this sector. It is therefore crucial to enhance the
institution and technical framework for agricultural finance on the continent.

The project strategic intent and key objective will be therefore to ensure that there is financial
inclusion within the marginalized persons by governance systems, thus by strengthening and
supporting livelihoods via good workable solutions and policies. This mission of this
Agricultural project proposal is to improve livelihoods and ensuring that there is food security,
thus by harnessing Agriculture through adoption of sustainable quality innovative products
regarding the industry.

The objective is aimed at empowering the bottom of the pyramid communities and actors
particularly women and youth given that they are the most vulnerable victims of extreme poverty
and hunger. Despite their role and contribution to Nation Building and urban rural livelihoods in
Kenya, there still lacks a visibility of their participation and contribution in Nation Building and
development in general. Thus with the technical assistance and financial support, community
driven projects can be designed to fit the most vulnerable and marginalized communities.

The role of Agriculture with farmers whether small scale or large scale, to the Country’s food
security and the economy by extension is an important one, which can neither be overlooked nor
disregarded. The County Agricultural Sector is unquestionably the nerve of our economy
contributing the bulk of earnings and employing over 75% of its population both directly and
indirectly.

Quote: “When Men are employed, they are best contented.”

In Kenya Agriculture accounts for more that ½ of Kenya’s CDF, more that ½ of Kenya’s expert
earnings from trade in goods, and more than three quarters of Kenyans depend on agriculture for

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their livelihoods. The future is in farming because population is rising. The following
recommendations are necessary to improve this sector for growth of the Country’s economy.

a) Research:
There is need for the County government to invest heavily on Research for the development of a
sustainable Agricultural sector within Nakuru County. H research will range from developing
new tools and products meant to enhance the sector. Through research, these county government
should develop a robust plant (crops) varieties adopted to wide range of county agro-economies.
These varieties should allow farmers in the county to experience a total change in crop yields.

b) Rationalization of Agricultural Industry and trade Policy.

Harmonization of the sector policies, laws and regulations is important in facilitating an
improved agriculture by producing foundation on agriculture, investing in modern agricultural
techniques, with facilities and production of sufficient quality and quantities of seeds which meet
the demand of the market and ensuring consistency of thriving agriculture.

c) Conservation of Land.
It’s high time the county government work out on how to restore back ADC lands, previously
owned by the government but now all grabbed and this by having full control of them. This
should also be enhanced by employing modern scientific techniques f soils enhancement which
therefore ensures a healthy agricultural process. With land being a complex issue, I suggest that
the county administration incharge of investment and Trade should induce investors to look upon
arid areas (i.e. Eburu, Gilgil, Kiambogo etc), as areas to invest on Real Estate other than setting
their business on areas suitable for agriculture production. Riparian Lands on the shores of the
Lake within Nakuru County are areas that also should be overlooked at.

d) Private Sector Participation.

There is need for the county to create an enabling environment for the private sector participation
in Agricultural development through versatile policy environments. The private sector has the

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initial capital and capacity to make a difference in Agricultural sustainable development for a
long-time.

e) Investment on Agricultural Infrastructure.

This goes for instance of construction of depots and silos to protect farmers from exploitation
from middlemen fully installed with electricity to enhance security besides rehabilitation of
roads, in an effort to ease transport of the produce. It will be big reprieve to farmers where they
will now be able to store their produce as they wait for market. Also, to work on Agro-
processing and marketing on county agricultural produce, this notwithstanding encouraging
investors who use agricultural related produce to set camp within Nakuru county e.g. potato
crisps factories to be placed in Molo.

f) County Government-National Government partnership.

There is need for the county government to liaise with the national government Agencies
(Ministry of Agriculture, KARLO) by providing interactive and consultative environment for
experts . Also are non-governmental organizations and support of other successful farmers. The
National governments can henceforth channel more funds in promoting Agricultural research
and extension services, since this sector is also a priority to them. Through research, New Seed
varieties that are adoptable to different climates can be produced boosting harvests.

There is also need for promotion of Value Addition not only to improve standards of produce,
but also create more employment opportunities.

g) Introduction of Agricultural Trade Associations.

There is need to strengthen the Agricultural community capacities since their role in the sector is
critical. They are responsible for protection of genuine agricultural procedures and conservation
through strict enforcement of agricultural Laws, Lobby and advocacy and promotion of regional
agribusiness. This could be inform of Cooperatives and this ensures regular flow in the
production and supply chain (This way, farmers can jointly secure a common market and sustain
it without or with minimal failure. In cooperatives, farmers can also access services from
professionals and also funding (credit) amongst other benefits and opportunities.

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h) Rethink Traditional Level varieties and restoration of tradition crops in the County
Economy.
There is need for more research on improved foreign varieties breads of crops which ca easily
adopt to our county ecological system i.e. watermelon growing if enhanced well can do well on
the arid areas of the county.
Also some crops like pyrethrum which previously used to thrive well but now forgotten should
be brought back into business.

j) Investing on Training of Farmers and other incentives (award schemes/Agric-Tourism).

The county government should look forward on organizing agricultural events; like farmers
clinics with experts from agricultural research institutions regularly. Training helps raising
awareness of new farming techniques and building confidence to farmers in adopting modern
farming. Most cases of dwindling Agricultural products output and post Harvest setbacks is
mostly because of the farmer’s lack of confidence and technical skills to venture in profitable
agricultural practices. Some notable causes which need a total change and worked upon are
farmers being ill-equipped to control post harvest losses like driers and proper storage facilities
especially when harvesting coincides with the rains. Due to poor handling, it brings into
question the county’s ability to improve its food security. Regular training at the grassroots
helps to integrate profitable agriculture improving the standards of living and get rid of negative
attitude that the youths have towards farming.

Integration of Award schemes (i.e. Annual Nakuru County Farmers competition Award
scheme).This kind of arrangement which ought to be very competitive and that goes towards
commercialization of county agriculture and also boosting farmers morale on embracing
agriculture and doing more or work hard on farming. This can range to different categories like
small scale/large scale commercialization, zero grazing farmers, youth in agriculture, women in
agriculture etc.

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k) Agricultural Policy.
There is need for the county government to integrate holistic agricultural policies that ought to be
multi-dimensional and that would help promote and implement countrywide diversity of farming
community, support the development and spread of agricultural practices, for a sustainable and
bumper harvests. Main objective for the development of a policy framework is to represent the
interests of the private sector in driving policy, formulation, implementation and monitoring
(Private Sector Development Strategy). This will also include inclusion in negotiations; in
harmonization of policies in all realms of the sector (i.e. Promotion of Agricultural Growth and
Rural Development for a sustainable and Inclusive Growth).

l) Create Database of all county farmers, with the various categories of the specialty i.e.
(potato growing farmers, maize farmers, livestock farmers etc). Through having a
registry of all farmers in the county, with their relevant contacts, it will be easier for the
county government to liaise with the farmers incase of available opportunities i.e
(tenders) to supply and deliver produce to investors, allocation and distribution of farm
inputs etc).

m) Improve logical infrastructures for Agricultural inputs and outputs. These are with
examples of:
a) Construction of Dams in Arid areas to facilitate irrigation rather than relying on rain
fed agriculture.
b) Provision of farm inputs to atleast 100 farmers per ward i.e. (construction of modern
arbiters (slaughter houses).
c) Construction of satellite cereal depots and silos at sub-county levels.
d) Establishment of Horticulture nurseries at Ward level.

o) Encourage Micro-Financial and Financial institutions to invest in the sector. This can be
coupled by insurance firms who can integrate insurance cover products to a risk and
mitigations measures incase of post harvest setbacks (losses).

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p) The county Agricultural Department should also strive in organizing Youth, Women and
farmers into properly structured cooperatives (chamas)as they become direct
beneficiaries f county agricultural projects and opportunities.

q) Set aside funds and produce soil sampling Kits for distribution to each Ward. These are
intended to help determine soil conditions and make farmers make informed decisions on
appropriate farming techniques.

r). Establishment of a county Fertilizer Subsidy Programme. These can help re-engineer the
Agriculture sector by the county working on its strategies for revitalization and hence
improve in the county scorecard where huge dividends to the farming to community are
reliable and a positive delivery to those along the value chain and the county’s economy
as a whole.

t) Introduction of Value Addition through Agro-processing of availed agricultural produce.

This includes installing mill processing plants, building of tanneries.

u). Introduction of County Agricultural Events, these inform of Fairs, Forums, farming
clinics etc. The county government should strive to facilitate these educational events at a sub-
county level or ward level. Some of the objectives of these events are to:
 Showcase business opportunities for the investors and farmers thus help to
facilitate business to business linkages.
 Share information on agricultural produce value chain issues, technologies and
innovations.
 Enable exhibitors to display the products and services.
 Disseminate information of improving production and distribution of Agriculture
sector through use of high quality and new variety of seeds, marketing, processing
and storage, crop rotation, soil Erosion and Intercropping. The county can also
use this platform on issuing regulations on 50kg packing per bag of Agro-produce
especially potatoes thus harnessing its implementation.

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w) Streamline the county’s logistics and information framework by embracing technology.
This can be inform of using a mobile phone Application to ensure farmers who need the
inputs mostly access it. Through an integration of an E-voucher system, such a system
can eliminate corruption , upscale production and bring the fertilizer and other inputs that
would have otherwise been fraudulently diverted to middlemen to more farmers.

x) Youths can be lured into farming through Greenhouses and drip irrigation. The methods
are ideal as they do not require a lot of land. The young are reluctant to do ploughing
which they see it as dirty. Through Entrepreneurship mentorship and provision of seed
capital or drip irrigation kits can help to facilitate the program. The venture will have
erected 10,000 direct and indirect jobs for the youths.

y) Encourage on small older cash crop farming so as to provide farmers with profitable self
employment tenure to make small capitalists, not slaves of capital. Agriculture sector can
be the game changer for the county’s economy.

NB:
The proposal on agricultural policy framework presents development solutions relating to the
challenge of sustainable agricultural development, food security and management of national
resources gained through actions to be implemented by the county government with support and
partnership with National government agencies (Ministry of Agriculture, KARLO) International
Agricultural Development Organization (FAO, WFP, IFAD, ILR, CIAT, UNDP, ILO etc), the
civil society among other stakeholders. These are solutions designed to support families and
societies in coping with the adversal effects of climate change, unemployment and depleting
water sources. The proposal provides results-based accounts and scalable solutions on
agricultural cured food security, notwithstanding the Economic growth and curbing the menace
of unemployment.

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Sub 1:PYRETHRUM: Bring back the Bloom of the Crop in Nakuru County.
Kenya, as a dominant producer in the world of pyrethrum, Nakuru county especially, then it calls
for a need to urgently revive the sector that once provided immense economic and social benefits
to more than 200,000 subsistence and low income farmers in the county. Grown since 1928,
Kenya became the world’s leading producer of natural pyrethrum, providing 70% of the global
supply until the sector died down in 2003 after the closure of the Pyrethrum Board of Kenya due
to inefficiency, corruption and management problems. This has actually costed the Nakuru
county economy a lot which alone as a county has the potential to produce twice of all country’s
production when at its peak. At its peak in 1972/1993, Kenya produced a record of 17,710
tonnes of flowers.

In 90s Kenya was controlling over 90 percent of the world market compared to the current share
of only two percent. Our production decline have since led to us losing the opportunity to
Australia which took over the market with the stale of Tasmania taking over growing and
processing in early 2000. BY 2010, Tasmania controlled 65 percent of the world’s pyrethrum
production. Others are China, Rwanda and Tanzania who control the world market now. Kenya
still produces the best quality pyrethrum in the world, although the sector has been bedeviled by
many problems that have contributed to its decline in the market.

General shortcomings led to the collapse of pyrethrum sector in Kenya, including failure by the
sole buyer, Pyrethrum Board of Kenya (PBK), to pay farmers for the delivered flowers within
acceptable time-frames, crops diseases, lack of investment in high quality planting materials,
poor farming methods and crop research, and the reliance of one processor. Now that Kenya
devolved agriculture to counties, it thus beckons on Nakuru which lies on the floor of the Rift
Valley to take that mantle and revive the sector bringing back its glory. The pyrethrum sub-
sector can provide a livelihood to two to three million people with direct or indirect linkage to
PBK. Despite the challenges facing the pyrethrum industry, it still has the potential to increase
export earnings, promote industrialization, and spur economic growth in Kenya as envisaged the
vision 32030 where pyrethrum is identified as one of the sub-sectors expected to significantly
contribute to economic growth. It is a crop which can be converted into a myriad of value added

23
products. Every single product derived from pyrethrum becomes a raw material for other
products.
Kenya has the potential to produce and process upwards of 20,00 metric tones of pyrethrum
flowers to earn shs,75 billion for farmers per year and shs.58 billion in foreign exchange from
the refined extract done currently the market is consuming approximately 60 per cent synthentic
pyrethroids and 40 percent natural pyrethrum. The PBK process and markets all of Kenya’s
pyrethrum, of which over 95 percent is exported. Such a strategy needs to change and reduce
exports to 50 percent and promote 50 percent local consumption to reduce importation of
synthetic pyrethroids which are sometimes not environmentally friendly like natural pyrethrum.

Globally pyrethrum is viewed as an ideal pesticide in the environmentally conscious population

and issues related to climate change and future environment inn Kenya. It’s a major cash crop to
small scale farmers in several counties. Since pyrethrum is a major source of malaria controlling
product (pyrethrum), the decline in the sector could have contributed to rise in Malaria in Kenya.
The revival of the sector and processing of the flowers in cottage industries facilitated by county
governments would act as a direct way of controlling Malaria epidemic, shifted supplies, in full
or part, to synthetic pyrethroids to reduce their supply risk and save costs.

It thus calls for the county government agricultural docket utilize this opportunity and revitalize
this sector through intensive trainings to farmers, availing of seedlings (splits and seeds),
provision of inputs and avail ready markets for the product after harvest . In this case, there are
prospects of a tremendous boost of the country’s general economy outlook.

Key Recommendations:.
 Improve the stagnant production of less than 1200 tonnes per annum by increasing
production by orienting back the growth of the crop in notable areas.
 Consolidate the industry to increase products and buyers and overall value chain. For the
market to remain sustainable, the quantity of pyrethrum needs to be enhanced and
maintained.

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  Strong need to improve the efficiency of the PBK’s operations and ensure national ability
to provide leadership in the sector through reduced mismanagement and improved
processing.
 Support the provision of adequate seedlings, establishments of nurseries, trainings and
extension services.
 Generation of new technologies through better funding to research institutions like
AFFA, Kario universities.
 Mitigation against climate change since frequent heavy rains and prolonged period of
drought present a problem for pyrethrum farmers, not only for agricultural production,
but also for health care as a growing number of regions are experiencing malaria
epidemics for the first time.

Nb: Nakuru County Government Agricultural docket should also work upon integrating other
crops into our agricultural friendly ecology. These are for the example of sunflowers,
watermelon, Barley, sorghum, Sisal.etc..

Sub 2: USE OF FERTILIZER

No farmer currently can boost good harvest without the use of fertilizer. Studies show that
fertilizer accounts for about 30 percent of the cost of production and has he potential to increase
yields between 50-70 percent.

Nb: Africa Union Head of States meeting in 2006 adopted the Abuja declaration on fertilizer use
after realizing that the continent was trapped in a fertilizer crisis. They resolved to increase the
level of use of fertilizer to atleast 50 kg per acre. They promised to take appropriate measures to
reduce the cost of fertilizer procurement at national and regional levels, eliminate taxes and
tariffs on fertilizers.

And now that Kenya devolved the Agricultural sector to counties, it calls to the county
government on working upon the availability and easy access of fertilizers to its farmers. To
increase the access of the input, county government must work closely with the national
government and private firms for a constant supply of subsidized fertilizer. Meanwhile, county

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government must ensure equitable supply of the government subsidized fertilizer, this to avoid
the long time existing corrupt cartels that have always deprived poor small-scale farmers where
only the wealthy farmers with large tracts of land and politically connected gets the lion’s share
of the subsidized fertilizer. The cartels create a difficulty in distribution of any government
related agricultural inputs. This is an indication that the national fertilizer subsidy does not
favour poor farmers.

With rapidly growing population, food demands are increasing pressure on the food and dividing
land resource, not to mention the rising degradation of the environment coupled with
uncertainties resulting from climate change. To complicate matter, low yields are rampant, and
this is closely linked to unavailability of planting materials. Thus inorder for the county to
experience bumper harvest and increase in production, fertilizer use by all farmers is then
mandatory and of key.

Other notable problem of the input use is Fertilizer Adulteration and this calls the county
government to take it as a matter of urgency to re-examine the national fertilizer subsidy. The
change should ensure that private firms are not run out business since quantity of fertilizer
offered by the national government cannot meet the demand, thus not enough for effective
production. One strategy might be the Zoning of the fertilizer based in soil maps that show the
distribution of soil nutrient demand.
- Use of e-vouchers to distribute the input also can aid in eliminating problems of adulteration.
Private firms working with County governments would help to deepen general fertilizer use.

Also to exercise production, there lies on another solution of seed enhancement or improvement
in technology through plant breeding to generate the best quality seeds that are more productive
and are pest and disease resistant.

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5. FISHERIES: Enhancing the Flora/Fauna and the Fishing livelihoods of
Lake Naivasha.
Theme: Developing the Aquaculture and the Fishing Livelihoods to a more sustainable
and profitable pathway.
Also a subsidiary of agriculture, the fishery sector that falls under the county government
jurisdiction is one that can create a paradigm shift in county’s development, help to create
employment and transform livelihoods.

Fishing industry if well catered for, is set for growth after years of neglect and near collapse.
Infact Kenyan fishermen have started benefiting from their work due to the blue economy
initiative. There had been declining fish stocks due to a number of factors including changes in
temperatures, desertification, lake currents, erosion, human factors and flooding problems, all
these causing an ill-affected flora and fauna.
A logical solution which presents a sustainable healthy flora and fauna is the necessary.
Management of the public beaches, recently introduced which brings the human factor into
question should also not be ignored as it has highly played part in the degradation of the
beautiful flora and fauna lake Naivasha was there before. The integration of Beach Management
Unit (BMU) in Lake Naivasha that mostly stands unsupervised is more a menace than a blessing
to the lake population.

The growth of Blue Economy is possible in Fisheries, (Aquaculture), Energy, Transport and
Tourism. In Lake Naivasha this can only be achieved by revitalizing the whole flora and fauna,
by improving the regulations, lake monitoring and surveillance, lake water levels, projection,
overhaul change of the Beaches outlook and management, providing access to new aquaculture
techniques, water hyacinth management, planting of appropriate trees species on the shores to
reduce erosion, among others.

The blue Economy has enhanced growth and development of fisheries in other notable fishing
areas, thus creating food security, job creation and sustainable economic development. And if
well managed, fisheries industry, Lake Naivasha per say, to my calculation via prediction can

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inject shs.30 billion annually to the national economy, especially if 350,000 metric tones of fish
is realized.

Other items of necessity in harvesting a positive outcome to this project that is to create a healthy
flora and fauna of lake Naivasha are among the following:
 Controlled fishing along the lake shores.
 Restricting on fishing gear.
 Temporary fishing bans.
 Set up marine projected areas.
 Introduction of Fish Cage Farming.
 Formulation of New Beach Management policies and change of initial outlook to a
modern state of art Beaching System.
 Working out on the Riparian Lands Law through an inclusive approach favourable to all
stakeholders.
 Construction of fingerlings Breeding Centres within the lake region. It is very illogical
when as a county, going to source fingerlings for our lake all the way to Nyanza.
 Inviting investors to undertake fillet extraction business for local and foreign market.
 Sourcing New markets incase of bumper Harvest.
 Encouraging Flower farms surrounding the lake to construct Dams and sink their own
boreholes rather than sourcing water from the lake which have continued to affect the
lake water levels.
 Have flower farms drain their waste water elsewhere (i.e. creating wetlands within their
farms) rather than directing the toxic water to the lake which highly affects aqua life.
 Adopting New fishing procedures and techniques i.e. Fish Cage Farming, Night fishing
Restriction.
 Working out a new policy framework on revenue collection and Taxation. It will be
prudent if ICT is integrated to carry out the function as Transparency and less corruption
will be indent thus boosting revenue.

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 Management of water hyacinth. Invasion of water hyacinth in the lake take up a lot of
oxygen, reducing the levels of dissolved air in the lake. It also acts as a hideout for
predators hence posing a threat to fish survival.

Methodology: Project Instrumentation will help consolidate and strengthen all efforts and
inputs invested therein by providing linkages for the different sectors of the economy and
encourage high level of specialization, expertise economies of scale and an ending
environment for the implementation of various policies and programmes. This in turn
building a harmonious relationship between local communities and the various entities
(companies around) with the obligation of corporate social responsibility is adhered by them.
Therein building partnerships that will aim at enhancing integration and coordination of the
marginalized fishing communities (mostly Youths and Women) with regard to aquacultural
activities and other key players in this sector. The project in this regard will be committed to
genuine partnerships that will deliver the much needed credit facilities to all participants
along the aquaculture development and production value corridors. In essence, the project
will have created a satisfying value to all involved in the sector, coordinated and facilitated
by the county government fisheries docket, and therefore presenting not only healthy but also
profitable flora and fauna, leave alone killing the cancerous attitude and vice of poaching.

The fishery development in Lake Naivasha will be coupled with other short, medium or long
term activities that will aim to exchange knowledge and transfer technologies including but
not limited to:
 Workshops / Training Events.
 Feasibility study through surveys and data collection, fishing community as persons
of focus.
 Field visits and study tours.
 Financial transfers (credit facilities) from donor organizations.
 Occupational training (Appropriate Fishing techniques and procedures, water
hyacinth Management), etc.
 Environmentally Sound Technology transfer.
 Technical policy advisory support services.

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  Revamping the Beaches outlook (construction of modern county stalls, all
standardized in nature) and demolishing the filthy structures that are owned by fish
mongers and traders. In Kamere beach, I suggest that the small stalls constructed by
the area MCA be demolished and allow the Beach stick to its cardinal purpose of
recreation.
Nb: A beach cannot be turned into a shopping centre or market per say.
 Provision of appropriate tools of work to artisanal fishermen (Poachers) with the
examples of recommended fishing nets, modern life jackets which can succumb
drowning etc, notwithstanding financing their working licenses.

Sub One: CAGE FARMING

Floating ponds: From poaching to farming
Lake Naivasha fisheries resources are not being utilized well and thus under threat. Efforts to
change the situation by the fisheries management have always faced headwinds. Fish stocks are
dwindling day by day due to the activities of illegal and unregistered fishermen.

Efforts to replenish the fish stocks are often watered down by the activities of artisanal
fishermen who use an array of crude methods such as gill-nets, baited hooks and even toxic
poison to suffocate fish, all of which tamper with fish population by catching undersize fish.

Hundreds of artisanal fishermen around Lake Naivasha have their livelihoods under threat. The
many families that have lived on fishing for generation now find it difficult to make ends meet-
Fishing means a living to them and they depend fully for survival. They stand guilty as charged
for the dwindling fish stocks but remain oblivious of the rule of law and thus cannot be assumed
for the project execution to be a success. Those found culpable of illegal and unregulated fishing
are sentenced to over six months behind bars or a fine of not less than Ksh.20,000/=. Despite
their role and contribution to the Nation Building; there still lacks a visibility of the poachers
(artisanal fishermen) participation and contribution in Nation Building and development in
general.

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Those hardworking men referred to as Poachers by the authorities are facing great frustrations
trying to fend for their families since fish means a living for them. Over the years, it has become
a norm seeing the fisheries authority and the artisanal fishermen engaging in running battles out
of the vice. The unlucky ones end up behind bars and the rest carry on immediately when the
course is clear.

It has now become a vicious cycle, its clear that a logical and sustainable solution must be
adopted which does not have to necessarily evict those fishermen from their fishing grounds. A
dual approach should be implemented by the fisheries authority which not only clamp down on
the harmful industrial practices but also actively and consistently support small-scale artisanal
fishermen saving them from economic impoverishment

The assistance called for could be linked to people in the fishing industry succumbing to limited
access to technology, inputs, credit and relevant information. Ignorance, malice coupled by
frequent harassments by those at the helm of authority has also marginalized youth and women’s
full access to available opportunities that fall within the fishing industry.

It is now time to change this old narrative and work towards empowering the artisanal fishermen
by giving them an opportunity to thrive in what they love. A solution that has been proven as
environmentally friendly while ensuring high returns and good income notwithstanding
guaranteeing a saving culture orientation to the fishermen- the idea is FISH CAGE FARMING.
The market for fish is insatiable and the traditional crude method which offers little harvest
cannot sustain it. Some of the advantages of cage farming are that:
 Fish live in their natural habitat,
 Cages have high capacities for holding fish;
 Cages offer fish protection from predators.
 There is controlled feeding and harvesting/
 Technique is cheaper as compared to building ponds.
 Fish cage farming guarantees regular supply of fish in the market.
Thus, integration of fish farming into Lake Naivasha and orienting them to the artisanal
fishermen will highly reduce the Law breakers (Poaching) and create an opportunity for them to

31
be legitimate and skilled fish farmers. Fish cage farming will effectively rehabilitate the
poachers’, turn them into co-managers of Lake Naivasha’s fishery resource, good tidings
becoming inevitable and guaranteeing a steady income stream to the fish farmers.

Fish cages can together be incorporated with a fish breeding centre and also a fish feeds
Processing Plant. Artisanal fishermen need to have their plight heard in order to effectively turn
them into custodians of the Lake Resource.
Now calling upon the county government fishery department with support of the National
Government Agencies at different levels and development partners to put in place various
programmes to address the plight and needs of marginalized Women and Youth who falls
amongst the most deprived in the Lake Naivasha fishing population. In this regard of Women
and Youth empowerment, Lake Naivasha stands as a huge natural resourceful good, enough to
employ over 5,000 heads, if well attend to. Your input and urgent intervention as the county
government in charge is highly needed to integrate this cutting edge technology the first of its
kind in Lake Naivasha.

For many years, fisheries have labeled people ‘poachers’, individuals who are simply working
hard to fend for their families in the best way they know. I’ growing up in this community on
the shores of Lake Naivasha seeing the prolonged status-quo and the lack of fresh solutions to
execute the problem has given me the ultimate motivation to address the issue. It is time for an
idea like this to come alive for Lake Naivasha and its livelihoods – Cage farming is a capital
intensive but a highly rewarding agribusiness venture. The objective of this project is to solve –
real-world problems in the aquaculture and environmental sector (Flora and Fauna) hence to
produce a better citizenry, create employment and improve the standards of living of the fishing
communities. Serious intervention and urgency from the Nakuru County government fishery
department is therefore needed so as to make the Global Millennium Development Goals of
Economic Growth, poverty alleviation and enhancing food security realizable within our own
jurisdiction.

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Case Study: In places like Usenge, in Siaya County, a small but lively town, bubbling with
several economic activities that includes tourism and fish farming that lies nearby Lake Victoria,
CAGE FARMING has brought new tidings and build resilient livelihood.

Sub Two: HYACINTH MENACE

There is a way but no will to get rid of weed.
The government faces accusations from various quarters that it is not keen on eliminating the
water hyacinth from our fresh water lakes, with brand new harvesters imported to clear it from
the shores lying idle. In lake Naivasha, More than five boats usually gets stuck in the lake during
the first three months of the weed’s invasion.
Apart from hampering fishing, the weed is also blamed for restricting marine transport and
thereby visits to tourist attractions in the lake greatly hindered. The hyacinth problem is
alarming and lake Naivasha fishing population now face the grim reality of survival after almost
all their lives are oftenly affected in one way or another.

From an environmental spectrum view, the discharge of nitrogen and phosphates into the lake by
Flower companies and farms around the lake provide fertile grounds for the water hyacinth to
flourish. Most of their waste goes directly to the lake, leading to nitrification, but also health
concerns.

The weed has been associated with diseases such as Malaria since it provides breeding ground
for mosquitoes, an increased incidence of coughing, rashes and bilharzia, among others.

It also interferes with water treatment, irrigation and water supply, suffocates fish by
deoxygenating the water and reduces nutrients for young fish.

The government is highly to be blamed over laxity in enforcing laws and punishing flower
companies that continue to pollute the lake. Some of the companies have been accused of
discharging cancer causing toxins from their chemicals (pesticides) into the lake.

33
The Kenya Maritime Authority acknowledges a three-prolonged approach to fight the weed-
removal by hand, by machine and biologically using beetles that attack the weed.

However, on a positive side of water, Hyacinth, the weed can as well be utilized for economic
benefits. The troublesome weed according too resources say, that it has more than 20 uses,
including making paper, gift bags, furniture, strawboard, garden sets, silage, baskets, notebooks,
and fertilizers. They say that it can even be eaten as a high protein vegetable.

In notable use of the weed, the body of Nobel Peace Laureate and Environmentalist Wangari
Mathai was transported in a casket made of hyacinth and papyrus. But despite all this, using
hyacinth for entrepreneurial benefit is illegal. Under the obnoxious Weeds Act, the East African
Community outlawed the use of the hyacinth for commercial purposes, arguing that it can
encourage the users to encourage its growth.
Annex: The policy framework and a conceptual note on fishery development of Lake Naivasha
outlines a holistic, multi-sectoral and a multi-partner view of development for a sustainable flora
/ fauna and profitable aquacultural production, and therefore responds to many elements in the
newly emerging resilience agenda. The County government process of development and support
from the Member County representative (MCAs) with their relevant communities provides
opportunities for encouraging the domestication of the framework, although much capacity
building and advocacy from national government line ministries with development partners will
be required to help translate the framework into locally appropriate actions with scalable
solutions through provision of resources and structures for proper implementation.

NB: Some of the potential implementation partners or organizations that addresses critical issues
such as food security, the alleviation of hunger and poverty, environmental, protection, the
promotion of economic development and self sufficiency and that work corroboratively with
various institutions including governments, the public sector and other stakeholders to implement
research and training to enhance agriculture performance are:
 Egerton University.
 Kenya Agricultural Research and livestock Organization (KARLO).

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 Elgon Kenya.
 Amiran Kenya.
 AGRA Alliance.
 International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
 Stockholm Environmental Institute.
 World Food Programme.
 ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute).
 Heifer International.
 ACTED (on Disaster Preparations and Mitigation).
 World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAFT).
 Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
 International Finance Corporation (IFC)
 Kenya Market Trust.
 International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC).
 International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
 International Potato Centre.
 Action Aid.
 Red Cross on Disaster preparedness and mitigation for food security.
 Oxfam
 National Potato Council of Kenya – for potato productivity.
 BOP Innovation Centre.
 Kenya Water Resources Management Authority.
 Kenya Fish Marketing Authority
 World Fish Centre (WFC).
 Center for Development and Innovation. For enhancing Aquaculture and marine
 Larive International B.V conservation.
 Kenya Maritime Authority.
 Association for strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).
 USAID.
 One Acre Fund.
 SACDEP.
 International Labour Organization (on Youths Empowerment).
 World Natural Resource Institute.
 International Conferences of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
 Rabbit Republic.

35
  New Restoration Economy Initiative.
 Africa Conservation Tillage Network (ACTN).
 Feeding Futures.
 Self Help Africa.
 Food for the Hungry.
 Office Cherifen des phosphates (OCP) in fertilizer.
 Construction of (fish multiplication and demonstration centers).
 Set ague shops in sub-counties
 Set funds for construction of fishponds. Across the county and farmers to be provided with mono-
sex Tilapia fingerlings.

Sub3: ON RIPARIAN LAND AND LAKE CONSERVATION

There has been an increase of human –Wildlife conflict around lake Naivasha, all this been
attributed to the closure of Wildlife corridors and the fencing of riparian lands. Farmers,
Hoteliers and private individuals are responsible for this current crisis.

The situation can get worse if measures are not taken into urgently to address the issues of
grabbed riparian land.
Large percentage of lands adjacent to the Lake has either been blocked or fenced off. Wild
animals can’t access the lake or even leave. The most affected animals being Hippos and
Buffalos, which have to seek alternative routes, leading o the Wildlife-Human conflict.

Some private investors have even erected fences inside the lake, caging the Hippos from
accessing pastures at night. Because of the fencing and Hippos cannot access their preferred
pastures, it thus turns them wild hence killing people.

Currently, an area around the lake is recording atleast two cases of wild animals attack, some
leading to deaths.
Some activities towards the protection of the lake and its inlets have been in existence for a while
but are now rendered either corrupt or toothless. Among the active stakeholders in the protection
of the lake are Water Resources Management Authority, Lake Naivasha Riparian Association
(LNRA) and Lake Naivasha Boat Owners Association.

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It now beckons to the County Authorities in charge of fisheries who management of the fisheries
fall within their jurisdiction, to urgently intervene on this matter by soberly arbitrating for a
sustainable and harmonious thriving of the Lake Resource.

 According to Water Resource Management Authority (WRMA), the current Water Act
2002, has created structures that allow public participation in water resources
management through formation of Water Resource Users Associations on the grassroots
and catchments area committees at regional levels . To succumb this Riparian lands
problem, either grabbed or illegally and inefficiently used, the county government
should:
 Come up with an integrated approach of managing water resources by providing a clear
roadmap for assessing, maintaining, enhancing, developing and managing the limited
resource on sustainable bases.
 Issue out strong registrations on protection and conservation of public water bodies
(resources).
 Encourage by facilitating community-driven. Conservation projects which aim at
preventing environmental degradation that lowers the risk of depletion due to invasion
and pollution by people.
 Set cautionary measures to Riparian land grabbers.
 Open the closed corridors for Wildlife passage which have since been closed by selfish
private individuals for the public benefit.

6. COUNTY GOVERNMENT-PRIVATE SECTOR PARTNERSHIPS.

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The private sector plays a very important role in any given economy. The impact at scale which
aims towards having a nexus community of practice and learning alliance, the Private sector
being the case in point should be a cardinal item of focus to the Nakuru County government.
The Private Sector faces many obstacles in Africa and Kenya including inadequate regulations,
restrictive policies, poor infrastructure, skills shortages, trade restrictions, tariff and non-tariff
barriers to exports, difficulties in obtaining medium and long-term finance on affordable terms
and large scale informal sector- Kenya is making giant leaps to address these obstacles. In order
for the county of Nakuru to become investment friendly, it is thus its duty to aggressively
develop a sustainable corporate community that will work cohesively to achieve economic
growth and building resilience in the county.
The main objective of engagement is to represent the interests of the private sector in driving
policy formulation and implementation. To achieve the above, the county government of Nakuru
ought to work on the following:
1. Development of policy frameworks; including inclusion in negotiations, in harmonization
of policies of investment, trade and taxation that are favorable to all. (Private Sector
Development Strategy).

2. Hosting an Annual Nakuru County Investment Conference. The purpose of the round
table conference so as to serve as a catalyst in providing corporate leaders/organizations
and county government representatives an environment of presenting their available
opportunities, air concerns, develop solutions and provide assistance between the county
and the private sector. It is a forum that will enable the county government to present its
status address on Development, Policy amendment or changes etc to the private sector.

3. Sectoral and issue focused county – Private sector dialogue including on harmonization
of taxes, standards, counterfeits among others. The dialogue seeks to provide the private
sector community with confidence in the county government and breed an atmosphere of
mutual respect and transparency.

4. Joint sensitization program on the customs, markets, investment policies and other
elements of integrating process. This should involve discussions concerning the vision
and mandate of the county- private sector assets and technology exchange in which the
platform facilitates market and development driven exchanges of technologies, assets,

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 services and financial resources amongst the private and county government sectors in
order to achieve inclusive growth throughout the county’s economy.

5. Resource mobilization; this can either direct or indirect exchange of support between the
county government and private stakeholders.

6. Advocacy; this includes presenting of private/county issues to relevant national

government ministries as the highest level of engagement. The goal should be to better
utilize county-private sector cooperation to assist in a decentralized economic growth,
besides a long-term growth of county municipalities and jurisdictions. Topics to also
consider are political stability, financial stability, investment viability; social dividends,
citizen participation, transparency and accountability. Also is CSR adherence - Social
dividends should include employment, healthy work place environment, education,
human rights and a mile posts for citizen participation in Nakuru county and the private
sector development conferences or forums.

7. Engaging directly with other organizations aimed at fostering private sector interests in
the county development process. The private sector and non-governmental organizations
(non-state actors) are an essential component of any urban/rural revitalization. Through a
forum of engagement, the county hopes to achieve inter connectivity for the private
sector/non-state actors (NGOs, Civil Society), guidelines for possible financed transfer
(funding) of development. By facilitating a roundtable meeting with private partners, the
county government ought to outline Nakuru’s Master Plan and bullet point specific
projects that needs to be accomplished in infrastructure, Sanitation, Agriculture,
Environmental mandates, transportation, tourism and energy.

In the context of shared concerns about development, effectiveness, the main purpose of this
is to set the stage for a systematic approach to future dialogue on the county. Private sector
cooperation as a special and important case of the pursuit of scaling up impact of successful
development interventions with effect to investments and markets. The sensitization program
should involve presentations on a general framework for scaling up, the conceptual links of
scaling up and county – Private sector cooperation, specific examples of development
agencies and other county governments approaches to scaling up through a joint

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 cooperation; the National government perspectives and both parties view, this as far as
customs, markets, investments policies and integration process are concerned.

7. COUNTY HEALTHCARE: Towards an increase in access to primary

Healthcare inline with UN’s Sustainable Development Number 4.

Challenges and Solutions of attaining affordable Healthcare, A healthy Society translates to a

Wealth Society. Good health care means a lot to a County Government’s bid of achieving
development. Business and Governments are evolving, the strategy being to move away from
offering a product to providing a solution.

When it comes to healthcare, we see two main problems: Access and Quality. Although the
problem is much bigger in rural areas than urban areas, the latter suffer the burden of being
referral Centers for the farmer leading to crowding and long queues which further limit access
and quality.

In case of purchase of Healthcare equipment, a product can serve for a brief moment but lose its
value later down the line. A solution on the hand involves a more comprehensive approach in
solving the problem with equipment just being one of the components. And this is more of what
Nakuru County needs and ought to adopt while revamping its health structures.

The health sector having being devolved to counties, it thus beacons to:
a) Integrate structures, well defined by county models for healthcare. That will guarantee
service to all region in the County.
b) Create a system where it ensures that there is appropriate treatment readily available, the
ability to serve the projected volume of patients and adopt by availing these services to
local needs and circumstances.

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c) Creation of a system that will act as a vital community hub in the county where
Technology is bundled with healthcare services.
Availability of a technology package is important. This includes, Solar power, Indoor and
Outdoor LED lighting, health equipments equipped with monitoring and diagnose
triangle to equip counties for antennal care, Antenatal Care, Antenna care, pests and
refrigeration facilities and blood.
d) The County Government ought to work to reduce on mortality ration. Focus to be on
mother and childcare through providing special assistance to tackle the problem.
e) County’s should ensure there is supply of outreach kits that allow community health
volunteers to extend basic Health services unto the community.

NB:
From a cost perspective, it is becoming less necessary to put up large physical hospitals
Everywhere. Stakeholders are instead advocating for community healthcare Centre in strategic
Locations. This should also go hand in hand with adoption of simple technology solutions that
can make a big different such as remote diagnosis using simple scanning ad email technology.

By question, is how and when should county Governments incur cost for healthcare development
in the county level. The upfront investment may turn out to be high but on the other hand,
without primary care, then a sick population is evident and therefore a higher healthcare costs
and reduced productivity.

f) While working out in Nakuru County Healthcare system formulae, it is then prudent to
do a cost-benefit analysis in order to evaluate which of the available options is
appropriate for each specific region and how the county government with the support of
the National Government, the private sector and civil society can make it happen.
g) It is obvious that a good healthcare system requires well trained highly motivated health
workers and well stocked facilities – drugs, syringes, gloves, chemicals, X-ray films, and
blood and so on. It is so unfortunate that there is laxity and poor handling of patients by
the healthcare workers in most public hospitals (in the county). It is thus a cardinal
obligation for the county Health department to source fully fledged expertise in the sector

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 and lay out cautionary measures which will tame those healthcare staff who have
mastered the vice of mishandling patients hence improve on service delivery and
professionalism.
h) The county should create a mechanism to end massive corruption which has continued to
be devil our county public hospitals. Previously, county governments have wasted so
much time and resources through insensitive wasteful and inefficient bureaucracy thereby
affecting proper management of healthcare facilities hence rooting corruption tendencies,
ordinary citizenry who falls under the taxpayer bracket being the suffering lot. Useless
protocol and ignorance of authority, and decision making ails most county health
hospitals. To tame all these messes, the county government ought to take the following
as items of consideration:
 Thorough re-shuffling and possible transfers of all workers in the county health facilities;
Doctors should not be spared either.
 Integration of a county Drugs Procurement and Distribution Mechanism that will guarantee
accountability, transparency and openness.
 Periodical carrying out an audit (stock taking) of health inputs especially drugs in all
county health facilities, this notwithstanding making it mandatory for the accounting
officers in-charge issuing statements on drug procurement. For instance, in Naivasha, a
couple of pharmaceutical shop owners who are located just adjacent to the Naivasha district
hospital have enriched themselves from drugs procured from the hospital and meant for
public consumption – grand corruption seriously in existence. This definitely leads to
shortage of drugs. This selfish acts brings a scenario where on most cases patients are sent
to buy drugs from local chemists.
 Upgrading of infrastructure that will ensure cleanliness and management of queues of
essence. In Naivasha for instance, there is an awesome opportunity for the county
government to set another facility that will reduce congestion, long queues, and high
number of referral cases which have continued to characterized our only public hospital.
NB:While taking the Moi South Lake Route, there is Finlays Company (previously
Homegrown and Sulmac) that have lately leased its health facility. It is a health centre which
has been in existence since late 70’s. It hosts a good number of Wards, a morgue and well
enough, have large land lying idle and ideal for health facility expansion. It will be prudent

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that you acquire the facility and that will act as an alternative to populated Naivasha residents.
After acquisition, the facility can be upgraded with extra maternity wing with a theatre hall.
Being equipped with 40 beds for pre and post natal wards with three delivery units; including
two theatres; can help increase delivery capacity ten-fold. Also to consider in its upgrade is a
nursery that can accommodate eight incubators, doctor rooms, nurses stations, oxygen plants,
offices and stores. The facility will heighten by improving the county government scorecard
especially on improving Healthcare and reducing mortality rates which are highly prevalence
in Naivasha.

Some of the potential partners and donor organizations who are committed on improving the
healthcare sector with research, provision of inputs, finance for infrastructure and technical
expertise exchange are the following:
 Glaxo Smith Kline.
 European Union.
 Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
 Median San Frontiers (MSF).
 US Centre for Disease Control.
 World Bank.

8. THE WAY FORWARD – Scalable Approach

:Establishing an inclusive Approach for building Resilience and Economic Growth as an
integrated part of the Nakuru County Economic Development.
The concept paper describes how an inclusive approach being used as an utility for overall
growth in Nakuru County could lead the way towards building resilience and economic
development at the county level. It identifies an overall vision and strategies and a number of
areas of activities i.e. For each area of activity, it proposes specific actions and identifies
potential actors who might contribute to achieving stated objectives. It is not a binding work
plan, nor does it contain perspective recommendations to the county government, International
organizations or stakeholders, who are free to participate in the action plan as they wish.

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The action plan reflects the gathered ideas in the process but does constitute a binding
commitment by any participant.

The Action Plan: Recommendations

i. County at regional level (Sub-county/ wards) to be involved in the design,
implementation and monitoring of county projects within their areas of jurisdiction. The
projects should provide an inclusive growth paradigm for sustainability and those that
present a chance for realization of pro-poor goals of economic development.

ii. The county top administration to often consult with ward administration and member
county representatives (MCAs) including a more systematic and wider representation of
relevant non-county actors including community representatives.

iii. All county development stakeholders to carry out a county level consultations on county
plans and that community input into defining sustainable resilient priorities to be included
as part of the implementation.

iv. The county especially Ward development plans to hold relevant and sustainable projects.
The projects should be sufficiently transformative and should address the underlying
causes of vulnerability or ensure time bound progress on the fundamental building blocks
for development and resilience. Those should include providing access to appropriate
services to the community in subject.

v. Transparency and accountability mechanisms to be put in place to monitor use of funds

devoted for county development especially that pertains to county Wards projects.

vi. To ensure there is guarantee that all investments in the county will be appraised for their
socio-economic and environmental effects to avoid negative impacts on the resilience of
vulnerable groups and due compensations given where necessary in case of energy,
mineral and crop agricultural investments.

vii. County government to have a mechanism in place to ensure that communities are
engaged in determining their local development priorities and visions for a resilient
future. The county development stakeholders should ensure that there is transparency,

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 accountability and monitoring mechanisms outlined to ensure that all funds devoted for
development are addressing priority issues and benefiting vulnerable communities.

viii. The county government to identify Agriculture as key sector of focus while carrying out
its budget as it’s the nerve of county’s economy and steer development in all realms. The
county Government to identify and prioritize on where to channel its funds and that can
create a positive impact to the county’s development strategic plan.

ix. To work on the county spending patterns this by minimizing unnecessary courses which
requires funding but does not translate to country’s economic goals. (i.e. County
Assembly Foreign travels. The county should also adopt by utilizing new technology and
procedures while carrying out its functions.

x. To ensure protection of community rights to land and adequate compensation

mechanisms availed, economic empowerment of vulnerable groups (Including ICT,
business training and financial services/credit facilitates offered) inorder that they can
take advantage of infrastructural development and new market opportunities, civic
education on rights, services and resources devoted to their respective areas of
jurisdiction. To promote infrastructural development as it facilitates equitable economic
growth by improving on basic services to poor livelihoods i.e. Roads, hospitals, dams for
irrigation, electricity etc.

NB: Some of the potential implementation partners or organizations that addresses critical
issues such as food security, the alleviation of hunger and poverty, environmental, protection,
the promotion of economic development and self sufficiency and that work corroboratively with
various institutions including governments, the public sector and other stakeholders to
implement research and training to enhance agriculture performance are:
 Egerton University.
 Kenya Agricultural Research and livestock Organization (KARLO).
 Elgon Kenya.
 Amiran Kenya.
 AGRA Alliance.
 International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT).
 Stockholm Environmental Institute.

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 World Food Programme.
 ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute).
 Heifer International.
 ACTED (on Disaster Preparations and Mitigation).
 World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAFT).
 Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO).
 International Finance Corporation (IFC)
 Kenya Market Trust.
 International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC).
 International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
 International Potato Centre.
 Action Aid.
 Red Cross on Disaster preparedness and mitigation for food security.
 Oxfam
 National Potato Council of Kenya – for potato productivity.
 BOP Innovation Centre.
 Kenya Water Resources Management Authority.
 Kenya Fish Marketing Authority
 World Fish Centre (WFC).
 Center for Development and Innovation. For enhancing Aquaculture and marine
 Larive International B.V conservation.
 Kenya Maritime Authority.
 Association for strengthening Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA).
 USAID.
 One Acre Fund.
 SACDEP.
 International Labour Organization (on Youths Empowerment).
 World Natural Resource Institute.
 International Conferences of Great Lakes Region (ICGLR).
 Rabbit Republic.
 New Restoration Economy Initiative.
 Africa Conservation Tillage Network (ACTN).
 Feeding Futures.
 Self Help Africa.
 Food for the Hungry.

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  Office Cherifen des phosphates (OCP) in fertilizer.

CONCLUSION
Sustainable county management cannot be achieved without and adequate workforce large
enough for the tasks in hand, with the right skills to be effective and efficient. A growing
productivity in all parts of the county sectors of development and working operations can
steadily reduce the numbers of workers required, but serious concerns to be expressed and very
evident is about the long term sustainability of the workforce. Given the increasing demand for
the county public services(CPS) delivery and its activities, considering the potential impact (on
people, communities, National government, private sector and overall county development
effectiveness), thus by taking account on lessons from county programmes execution and
Integration of developing parties (private sector) in county activities, in response to demand from
involved interested stakeholders and in line with Devolution Funds Policy, Nakuru county
government should do the following:
a) Enhance decentralization in all sectors and regions of the county and maintain a flexibale
and diversified approach to the County Public Service (CPS). The CPS should be made
more systematic, mainstreaming it with the agenda (vision and Mission) articulated and
stipulated into the county strategic model of development.
b) The County Government to scale up support to the county Public Service (CPS), that will
directly contribute to the scaling up of county’s development success (i.e. Poverty
Reduction , Reduce unemployment, Guarantee food security and Inclusive Economic
growth. By supplying this effort for scaling up the (CPS) with the establishment of the
office of Chief County Development Strategist (CCDS) and knowledge management as
the corporate – level coordination function will henceforth inspire, compliment and
pragramatically support the current county decentralized activities.

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c) Integration of development parties into county working operations through a programmed
sign that would enhance the effectiveness of (CPS) activities and ensure broader impact
on the knowledge management agenda and the overall effectiveness of county
programmes.
d) Innovations will come forward within an enabling corporate county public service
programme framework supported with light-touch coordination. In this effect, the chief
county Development strategist (CCDS) with the support of the county office of strategy
and knowledge management can be appointed as a corporate focal point for the county
public service (CPS), with some coordination functions. Thereby also ensuring the link
to the Chief County Development Strategist (CCDS), knowledge management, and
innovation champion, good functioning of the county government operations and serves
as catalyst for further innovation. On top of enhanced relevance, effectiveness and
efficiency of the current stand-alone county public service activities, the benefits of such
coordination include:
 The Institutionalization of the county public service (CPS) policy and strategy.
 Identification of opportunities to accelerate and scale up direct knowledge
exchange.
 Avoidance of the proliferation of many small activities.
 Strong Strategic selectivity and alignment with the new corporate vision.
 Better coordination.
 Economies of scale.
 Management Efficiency.
 Stronger catalytic impact and leverage of ongoing management activities larger
 Multipliers.
 Better knowledge management.
 Greater . results focus.
 Higher visibility.
 Broader county government policy impact.

e) The county public service (CPS) operations is a two way process that allows the fluid and
indirect in exchange of ideas , technologies and services among people within the regions

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 in the county and across the country. A CPS that is informed, knowledgeable, well
instituted and properly aligned to carry its functions helps to accelerate the mutual
chaining of experiences in rural poverty reduction, accumulated through long term anti-
poverty endeavours in the county.
NB: County Public Service (CPS) is a regular and structural part of County Development
process and a dimension of its core operating model.

f) There should be total adherence to commonly recognized good quality County Projects
design norms. The County Public Service activities and operations guided by
frameworks (County Strategic Plan / Mission and Vision) tend to have a stronger
strategic focus, better results and broader outreach.
g) The sustainability of the County Government operations is sporadic, but where network
have been established, the impact will be broader; growing and longer-lasting. The
County Government may oftenly have its planning cut short on spelling out expected
benefits stream. This can in turn reduce that potential for dissemination, replication and
scaling up of its activities. Few county government activities will pay attention to
opportunities for scaling up and this obviously will lead to the need for repeat events,
rather than relying on in-built multipliers. Stronger direct linkage with investment
programmes would enhance the probability for scaling up.
h) Facilitate the engagement of private sector entities across the county where they help
much technical assistance and transferring the know-how for projects development,
execution, monitoring and evaluation.
i) Advocate for County- County partnership is both at the county and global level. Thus
will be coupled by integrating an exchange program of County development experts to
assist in other counties, hence strengthening local capacities in the long run. County
Project managers can also be organized to participate in other counties programme
processes in order to learn and hare their own experiences (Project Implementation
support Mission). This can be inform of facilitating occasional visits to other counties by
all county project. Staff and project participants to learn and replicate successful
approaches, especially on poverty reduction, back in our county.

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j) Enhancement of the county public service board by instilling on the principles of good
governance, transparency, accountability, openness and fairness, thus by weeding out the
vices of cronyism, nepotism and favouritism during remittent of county workforce.
Recruitment of expertise should be encouraged with know ledge content as a parameter
of Key. The Board should carefully recruit champions as Key agents of change.
k) On adherence to the principles of good governance, the county government should not
waste time and resources on insensitive, wasteful and inefficient bureaucracy. Sensible
Protocol, responsible leadership and positive decision making ought to be observed by all
county workforce in order to create a harmonious working and running of county
government activities. Bureaucracy is the root cause of corruption and which transcends
to poverty.
l) Establishment of a corporate level coordination function in the county which will aim to
inspire, complement and programmatically support the current decentralized activities.
This coordination function will provide a soft framework for the flexibility and creativity
of the special purpose of county public service activities and of a pool of experts in areas
operationally relevant to county government of Nakuru Mission and Vision. This can
also be supplemented by – the county government Education Department working out
aggressively on construction of Libraries in all places at ward level.
m) On selection of County Project Managers, the following criteria and parameters can be
considered of Key. Taking into account the audit results of previous county funded
projects, the desired project manager should have:
 Demonstrated a coherent policy knowledge on community relations, complaint
mechanisms knowledge in dealing with concerned persons and other factors that
would facilitate access better understanding of the concerned persons thus reducing
administrative difficulties.
 Ability to deliver project objectives
 Accountability mechanism knowledge and sound financial management.
 Capacity to monitor projects.
 Sector expertise and experience.
 Project management skills.
 Local experience and presence.

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n) Integration of Annual Nakuru County Portfolio workshops aiming at bringing together
project managers from across the county regions and other top actors involved in County
development programmes to share experiences and lessons learned and to identify way
and means to increase portfolio effectiveness. This increase on capacity building for
efficiency on county government working operations – this should include site visits to
ongoing well performing projects within the county and the country at large.

o) Carefully Recruit and support champions as Key agents and that will ensure overall
county development. The success of a county public service activity critically depends
on the quality of the knowledge exchange host, a person who has demonstrated
innovative and leadership talent and achievements, in areas of sustainable (Production
and Communication, technology, profitable rural enterprise models, inclusive institutions,
pro-poor policies and enabling approaches for rural poverty reduction).
It is important to understand the incentives of the host and to ensure that she/he has a
return to the investment in knowledge exchange e.g. Receiving knowledge in return
and /or confirmation of the relevance and quality of the innovation shared with the
impulse for further innovation.
Note: Public Service County can be more successful when it is a two-way process.
This includes:
i) Capacity of County Public Service providers (hosts) is variable and needs
strengthening. This includes knowledge management and analytical capacities,
communication skills and behavioural competencies. County government needs to build
its human capital capacity building into its working strategies.
ii) Having specific activities among homogenous groups of farers, government of
farmers, governments technicians or policy makers for instance, makes it easier to
manage the knowledge exchange and makes it most directly useful. On the other hand,
mixed activities bring the broader benefits of comprehensively addressing multiple
dimensions of county growth.

p) The county government to invest on innovative projects that can contribute substantive
and tangible benefits to the environment as well as to economic development decent job

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creation, poverty eradication at the county and natural level. Four pillars which the
county government cannot afford to ignore but anchor for their growth are: Agriculture,
Health, Housing and Industry (Manufacture).

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