Tourism Cabinet secretary Alfred Mutua and Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga have offered Kenyan and foreign investors free land to build hotels.
Speaking during the 2nd International investment Conference in Homabay County on Tuesday, February 27, Governor Gladys Wanga said that the county had available land for investment.
Explaining the move, she said that the investments would not only develop the county but also offer employment opportunities for locals.
Additionally, Wanga warned corrupt county officials saying that Homa Bay was a corrupt free county, and investors were safe to run their businesses legitimately.
“I would like to tell our investors that Homabay is open, Homabay is ready. We are corruption free. If you are an investor and anyone asks you to offer a bribe, just give me a call and I will deal with the matter.
“We want you to just come and invest. Land we are giving you all we want is your investment so that these young men and women here can get jobs,” she said.
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CS Alfred Mutua on Free Land and Hotels
At the same time, Tourism CS Alfred Mutua reiterated Wanga’s sentiments asking investors to build hotels in the area because it was an untapped investment area.
According to Mutua, tourists would only come to the county if offered good amenities including good accommodation.
Also, he asked investors to take advantage of Wanga’s offer on free land, adding that it will be both advantageous to the country and investors.
“We want people with a lot of money and so we are encouraging quality tourism. We need to invest in the comforts that will bring tourists to our country. Investors, please, we only have two or three hotels here. This place is ripe for hotels.
“With some of us who know how hotels work and with Wanga giving free land, if you want to invest and make money, I call upon you, please come and build hotels here,” said Mutua.
Also Read: Homa Bay County Govt’ Conducts Staff Audit to Fish out Ghost Workers
Ruto Speech in Homa Bay
While speaking at the event, President William Ruto lauded Wanga for her plan on increasing revenue generation in the county, asking other leaders to learn from her.
“It is also important for us as a nation to know that we cannot grow our country through accumulation of debt, we are going to grow our country by raising our revenues the way Homabay County is doing. Those who are asking too many questions should come and learn from Gladys,” he stated.
Additionally, he said that the government will be investing in a 200,000 acres sunflower plantation in the county for the production of affordable edible oil in the country.
“This year we want to put 200,000 acres under sunflower and we want Homa Bay to be front and center as we go in that direction. Our plan is that in 5 years, we will not be importing edible oil to Kenya, we will be producing it here from palm oil to canola to soya to sunflower. We have a comprehensive plan,” added Ruto.
