Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru is partnering with Israel in various key sectors as one way of improving the livelihoods of the residents. The alliance is geared towards promoting trade and investment opportunities as the devolved unit eyes increased agricultural exports.
According to Kenya News Agency, Deputy Governor Dr. David Kones, after deliberations with a delegation from Israel, emphasized that the collaboration targets boosting water technology, agriculture, health, among other sectors. The Israeli delegation was led by Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Mr. Gideon Behar.
Dr. Kones highlighted the envisioned establishment of a Nakuru-Israel AgriTech Demonstration and Training Farm, which would serve as a learning hub for local farmers. Additionally, professional exchange programs are planned, providing opportunities for Nakuru experts to train in Israel. There are also plans to enhance water harvesting, purification, and efficient irrigation, particularly in the county’s arid and semi-arid lands.
The Deputy Governor called on the Israeli government to explore opportunities in ecotourism and other sectors within the county. Kenya is noted as Israel’s fourth-largest trade partner in sub-Saharan Africa, based on data from Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics.
Dr. Kones expressed gratitude to the Israeli Government for its partnership, highlighting further collaboration opportunities, especially in empowering Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and training women and youth in Information Communication Technology. He acknowledged technological challenges in certain projects and expressed hope that Israeli expertise would be instrumental in achieving desired goals.
Mr. Kones also noted that a strong relationship between Nakuru and Israel could lead to the establishment of value-added factories and advancements in agricultural technology in the county. He extended an invitation to Israeli investors to establish such factories in Nakuru, emphasizing the relationship’s focus on economic growth and job creation for the youth.
Mr. Behar expressed his country’s willingness to support Kenya’s growth, stating that Israel’s mission is dedicated to ‘Agritech’ transfer and capacity building through MASHAV (Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation). He welcomed the partnership and highlighted Israel’s commitment to assisting Nakuru County in reducing child malnutrition and supporting agriculture and school feeding programs.
Israeli investment in Nakuru will focus on agriculture, with an emphasis on mobilizing Israeli firms’ investments in the region. The envoy acknowledged Kenya as a vibrant economy and a critical trade partner, recognizing its significant role in the global economy.
Nakuru aims to boost its revenue base through direct sales of farm produce to foreign markets and value addition. The county is a leading producer of potatoes, milk, cut flowers, vegetables, and avocados, among other crops. Mr. Kones has previously encouraged farmers to transition from subsistence farming to tapping into high-value export markets and joining cooperatives for better market access.
