Governor Barchok Seeks Funds For Industrial Park, ICT Hub

Bomet County government has encouraged plans to put up an ICT hub and the County Aggregation Industrial Park (CAIP).

These projects are in line with the President’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda (BETA).

Appearing before the County Assembly, Governor Prof. Hillary Barchok told the MCAs that the county intends to acquire Sh125 million for the developments.

In his proposal to the County Assembly, Barchok asked the members to amend the Appropriation Bill, 2023, to factor in the amount.

‘In view of the prevailing circumstances and significant emerging issues, I hereby request an amendment to the Bill to address, among others, the key policy interventions,’ a letter through Finance CEC Andrew Sigei to the clerk read.

While announcing plans to set up the ICT hubs across the 1,450 wards during his maiden visit to the County early this year, the President said this would create employment for millions of jobless youth.

He noted that the industrial parks to be set up in each of the 47 counties will enhance the country’s productivity, adding that his administration is prioritising the consolidation, processing, and value addition of agricultural products.

The President noted that a software factory will be built in Bomet County to keep the Mulot hackers productive.

The emerging trends in the ICT sector and the continuous demonstration of expertise in ICT by youth in the counties will accelerate the utilisation of ICT hubs for the country’s benefit.

Bomet County and especially the Mulot area have been identified as an area with potential software engineers, which if tapped well will create software enterprises for the country as well as for the region.

Also for consideration in the Bill is Sh50 million, which is the county contribution to the national government for the construction of the park.

Source: Kenya News Agency