Siaya County has unveiled its Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) for 2023–2027, outlining a strategic framework aimed at driving economic transformation and shared growth. The five-year policy blueprint, themed Economic Transformation for Shared Growth, is designed to align with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the Nyalore Manifesto, and the Sustainable Development Goals. According to the plan, agriculture remains the backbone of the county’s economy, contributing approximately 60% of Siaya’s Gross County Product, yet the county’s overall contribution to national GDP stands at only 1%.
The CIDP proposes a paradigm shift in agricultural development, moving beyond merely increasing output to enhancing productivity, boosting household incomes by 30%, and creating 20,000 jobs annually. The strategy includes the establishment of a market systems program linking roads, urban centres, Ecocity hubs, and value chain firms. Specific towns have been earmarked for targeted industrial and agricultural development: Bondo for aquaculture, Yala for dairy processing, Ugunja for avocado production and apiculture, Madiany for cotton and fruit processing, Usonga for rice milling, and Ukwala for textiles and groundnut processing. The plan emphasizes value addition, industrialization, and the development of modern infrastructure to catalyze economic growth.
County officials note that the CIDP will provide a structured pathway for both public and private sector investments, aiming to double the contribution of agriculture to Ksh. 20 billion in the county’s GDP by 2027. The plan also prioritizes food and nutrition security, employment generation, and overall improvement of residents’ livelihoods. By leveraging its agricultural potential alongside infrastructure development and targeted industrial projects, Siaya seeks to position itself as a competitive investment destination within Kenya’s broader economic landscape.