Siaya Governor James Orengo, accompanied by Senator Oburu Oginga, hosted a delegation of county leaders and business stakeholders at State House, Nairobi, on June 5, 2025, where President William Ruto unveiled multi-billion-shilling investment opportunities for the county. The meeting focused on boosting local industries, particularly the revival of cotton farming, a sector seen as pivotal for creating jobs and raising household incomes.
President Ruto highlighted that Kenya exports $500 million (Sh65 billion) in textile products to the United States each year, yet most of the textiles used domestically are imported. This must change, he stressed, urging Siaya to harness its agricultural potential and value-add locally to meet both domestic and international demand. The initiative is part of the national government’s broader programme to stimulate regional economies and enhance industrial production.
Governor Orengo described the engagement as a milestone for Siaya, which is poised to benefit from technical support, investment incentives, and infrastructural upgrades tied to the agricultural sector. The cotton revival programme is expected to generate thousands of jobs, foster local enterprise, and integrate smallholder farmers into profitable value chains, reinforcing the county’s economic transformation agenda.