President William Ruto will this week make yet another trip to the lakeside city for the official opening of the Nyanza International Investment Conference – an event seeking to position the region as an investment and development hub.
The President will be in Kisumu on Friday, just weeks after camping in the region that is increasingly looking like an option to stave off the rebelling Mt Kenya.
Ruto has been to the Western region five times since December, signalling his determination to broaden his chances ahead of the 2027 elections.
His focus has turned to building bridges with communities that had previously aligned with his political rivals.
This upcoming visit is not solely about economic development - it will also provide an opportunity for the President to consolidate political support in the region.
It is among the latest in a series of high-profile engagements in the western region, denoting a clear shift in the political landscape.
The President’s efforts to build a relationship with the region are also reflected in his collaborations with local leaders, who have been pivotal in driving community initiatives.
Preparations are in top gear with conveners holding meetings in both Nairobi and Kisumu ahead of the three-day event.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga will also be attending the conference bringing together local and international investors, business leaders, professionals, top government officials as well as foreign dignitaries to explore opportunities in the region.
“We have reached out to His Excellency the President who has agreed to be the chief guest. We have also reached out to the former Prime Minister to close the investment conference on February 8. We have also reached out to all MPs from Nyanza,” Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo, who is the convenor, told the Star.
Twenty ambassadors will not be present, Owalo said, but have mobilised potential investors from their home countries to attend.
The conference is organised by the Nyanza Professionals Forum chaired by Japh Olende, deputised by Mike Monari, with Owalo and Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba as co-patrons.
The organising committee has been meeting professional bodies, Cabinet Secretaries, trade unions, businessmen as well elected leaders.
“With the level of commitment demonstrated by the key stakeholders, the conference promises to be a landmark event. It aims to unlock the region’s economic potential through strategic marketing to attract both local and foreign investment,” Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi said.
Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is also the chair of the Lake Region Economic Bloc, earlier underscored the need for such forums.
Nyong’o noted that during a planning meeting, they emphasised the need to mobilise all 14 LREB counties to participate in the event, thus strengthening unity and collaboration, which remains their cornerstone in driving transformative economic development.
“This platform will showcase our region’s immense potential and attract critical investments for sustainable growth,” Nyong’o said.
As Ruto prepares to open the conference, the response from the people of Kisumu and the broader Nyanza region is mixed, yet hopeful.
While some remain sceptical of the President’s political motivations, others see this as an opportunity to bring tangible change to their communities.
Many residents view the investment conference as a critical step toward economic revival and job creation in the region.
Local businesses, leaders and locals are eager to capitalize on the opportunities presented by the government’s focus on economic empowerment and many hope that the conference will attract both local and international investors to the area. Already there is a boom in the hotel industry, with facilities in Kisumu registering high bookings.
“We’ve seen the government’s investments in infrastructure and it’s clear that the President is committed to improving the livelihoods of the people here,” a local business leader said.
“We hope this conference will bring more opportunities for our youth and create jobs.”
Jane Akinyi, a farmer, is excited to see what the conference brings, saying the region has a lot of potential from Agriculture to tourism.
“We don’t want it to be just for attracting business but ensure that the people within this region benefit directly from the investments,” Akinyi said.
Another businessman, Maxwell Lugari, lauded the initiative, saying what they need is sustainable development. Lugari expects discussions to focus on long-term projects that will create opportunities - not just currently, but for generations to come.
“If the conference brings in the right investors, it could mean jobs, especially for the youths and let’s hope that this will be the beginning of the new chapter for the people.”
The meeting, which was called off last year following nationwide youthled protests, reflects a broader strategy by the Ruto-led administration to reposition Western Kenya as a regional economic powerhouse.
Western Kenya has suffered years of marginalisation despite its rich natural resources and strategic location.
Themed ‘Nyanza Rising Towards
Economic Transformation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development,’ the summit provides a
platform of addressing the pressing
need for the region’s growth and development.