Siaya County stands on the brink of a transformative era as it prepares to host the Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO) from October 14–17, 2025, at the Siaya National Polytechnic. The Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, together with Governor James Orengo and a broad coalition of energy sector stakeholders, convened a high-level consultative meeting at the Kawi Complex to chart practical pathways toward sustainable growth through strategic energy collaborations. This critical gathering was not just a meeting of minds but a decisive step toward aligning energy infrastructure and investment with Siaya’s ambitious development agenda, setting the stage for the county’s accelerated economic transformation.
Energy is the backbone of industrialization, innovation, and improved livelihoods. Kenya’s Vision 2030 underscores the imperative of reliable and affordable energy as a catalyst for socio-economic growth, a priority that Siaya County has embraced with vigor through its Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023-2027. The county’s vision seamlessly integrates with national goals to promote green energy solutions and enhance energy access, particularly in rural and economically strategic areas. The involvement of the Ministry of Energy, represented by Hon. Opiyo Wandayi, and key agencies like the Nuclear Power and Energy Agency (NuPEA), demonstrates government commitment to advancing new energy frontiers. Their presence brings technical, regulatory, and advocacy expertise crucial for unlocking energy-driven investments and innovations in the region.
The consultative meeting focused on exploring robust public-private partnerships, investment in sustainable and renewable energy technologies, and infrastructure upgrades tailored to local economic activities. Siaya’s economy, predominantly anchored in agriculture and agro-processing, requires dependable energy to power farming inputs, cold storage, value addition industries, and trade facilitation. Beyond traditional energy sources, the meeting emphasized unlocking opportunities in solar, wind, and nuclear energy—resources that can be harnessed to provide clean power and address existing supply gaps. By aligning energy supply with local demand, Siaya can attract higher levels of investment, spur enterprise growth, and create meaningful employment for its youthful population.
Governor James Orengo’s leadership in spearheading SITICO symbolizes a strategic vision to position Siaya as an investment destination of choice, not just within Kenya but regionally and internationally. The conference theme, “Positioning Siaya as an Investment Destination: Transformative Growth through Trade and Investment,” mirrors the county’s aspirations to leverage its vast arable land, dynamic blue economy, and emerging industrial hubs. SITICO’s multifaceted approach—including keynote speeches, sector breakouts, exhibitions, and public-private partnership deal-signing sessions—will spotlight Siaya’s energy potential as a vital enabler of economic competitiveness.
Siaya County is already undergoing a remarkable wave of socioeconomic transformation backed by joint efforts of the national and county governments. Among flagship projects is the Siaya Integrated Modern Market, launched in March 2024, representing an over Sh800 million investment to construct a modern facility capable of accommodating more than 300 traders. Designed with cold storage rooms, CCTV surveillance, water and electricity supply, and waste management systems, the market will enable businesses to operate beyond traditional hours, protect goods, and boost incomes. Completion, targeted for December 2025, will provide a tangible example of how infrastructure improvements synergize with energy investments to unlock economic vibrancy.
Beyond the market, Siaya’s development agenda signals ambitious drive in sectors including agro-industrialization, fisheries, and micro-enterprise development. The County Annual Development Plan for 2025/2026 outlines key priorities: operationalizing the Siriwo Rice Mill to increase value addition, supporting climate adaptation initiatives, expanding aquaculture through the AI-powered Aquaculture Hub, and reinforcing cooperative-based micro and small enterprises through targeted funding. These projects hinge critically on reliable energy supply to power processing machinery, cold storage, digital platforms, and transportation, underscoring the indispensable role of energy infrastructure in facilitating quality growth.
The meeting with energy stakeholders also came against a backdrop of broader government commitments. President William Ruto has pledged over KSh5 billion towards Siaya’s blue economy and last-mile electricity connection programs, aiming to connect over 21,000 households with power. This investment will directly enhance household economic empowerment and enable small-scale industries and digital services critical for inclusion in global value chains. Electricity access is widely understood to reduce poverty and catalyze entrepreneurship, essential for counties like Siaya with a youthful and entrepreneurial population.
Furthermore, the participation of NuPEA’s CEO and senior directors signifies a holistic approach that combines technical innovation, legal regulatory oversight, and public communication—all vital to ensuring that energy initiatives are sustainable and investor-friendly. The agency’s involvement highlights potential adoption of emerging technologies such as small modular nuclear reactors, which could revolutionize energy availability if implemented with sound governance and safety standards. The multidimensional role NuPEA plays will be crucial in fostering energy projects that not only serve immediate economic needs but also contribute to Kenya’s long-term low-carbon development pathway.
Siaya’s economic prospects are enhanced by this confluence of energy sector leadership, visionary county governance, and investor interest mobilized by SITICO. The conference is poised to unveil investment opportunities while facilitating dialogue that aligns energy infrastructure expansion with county development goals, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and trade. By fostering an enabling environment where power is accessible, affordable, and sustainable, Siaya can confidently project itself as an emerging economic hub.
In conclusion, the energy partnerships driving SITICO 2025 represent more than just infrastructural progress; they embody a strategic vision for inclusive and sustained development. The collaboration between national energy authorities, county leaders, and technical experts provides a blueprint for harnessing energy as the cornerstone of a thriving and resilient Siaya economy. Continued investment, innovation, and partnerships in energy will unlock the county’s full potential, delivering prosperity and improved quality of life to its residents and positioning Siaya as a model for transformational growth in Kenya.
James Kilonzo Bwire is a Media and Communication Practitioner.
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