Marsabit Deputy Governor Advocates for Investment and Infrastructure in Northern Kenya

Marsabit DG Solomon Gubo (Photo courtesy)

Marsabit County Deputy Governor Solomon Gubo, in a bold address during the Peace Positive Investment Forum in Northern Kenya, outlined a comprehensive vision for infrastructure development and investment in the region. He highlighted the need for strategic efforts to transform Northern Kenya's frontier markets into hubs of global significance through sporting events, tourism, and improved infrastructure.

The Deputy Governor began by focusing on the region's potential to attract international sports enthusiasts, emphasizing activities like paragliding, which is only available in the northern parts of Kenya. 

"We are paragliding, the only place we do paragliding in Kenya. Very risky but loved by Europeans," he remarked, noting the potential of these extreme sports to draw international tourists. He further mentioned that Marsabit is hosting a continental cycling event, the first of its kind in the region, next year, along with a major marathon in October.

In his speech, he emphasized the importance of not only sporting activities but also creating investment opportunities in hospitality, tourism, and local businesses. 

"What that means is you come and actually set up hospitality and investment opportunities, hotels," he added, promoting the region’s vast potential for economic growth.

The Deputy Governor also underscored the urgent need for infrastructure development as a key to unlocking the region's potential. He called for substantial investments in roads, electricity, and digital connectivity to tackle the region's economic stagnation and insecurity. 

"Anywhere that there is no road, no electricity, no digital, no network – that is a place where criminals take advantage," he said, suggesting that development is a solution to the chronic insecurity that has plagued Northern Kenya.

The speech also delved into the land ownership challenges, which have hindered both local and foreign investments. He highlighted the need for comprehensive land reform, including title deeds, to ensure that investors have clear ownership and can proceed without disputes. "As an investor comes, you’ll find out you can actually learn indefinitely and proceed to invest in that," he said, adding that the lack of land documentation has created barriers to economic growth.

Additionally, the Deputy Governor acknowledged the social challenges in the region, particularly the need for mindset changes within the local communities to embrace investment and development. He pointed out that while he has worked on wealth creation strategies for three years, success has been slow due to resistance to change. "We have to change the mind and soul of the people so that they accept and move with us," he emphasized.

In his closing remarks, he stressed the importance of peacebuilding and land reform as foundational pillars for attracting investors and fostering sustainable development in Northern Kenya.

The Peace Positive Investment event marked a critical moment for Marsabit and Northern Kenya as they seek to leverage their untapped potential and grow into a thriving investment destination.