The county government of Kisumu in Kenya has launched the cargo division at the Kisumu International Airport. Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o performed the launch ceremony and urged residents from the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) to embark on serious fresh produce farming for export.
He said farmers and fishermen in Kisumu and the lake region were set to benefit immensely through the new development. Nyong’o noted that farmers need to venture into value addition and fish processing to tap into existing markets locally and internationally.
The bloc was formed in 2018 to spur economic development. Member counties are Kisumu, Migori, Nandi, Bomet, Kakamega, Siaya, Busia, Homa Bay, Kisii, Vihiga, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Kericho and Nyamira.
International standards
Governor, Nyong’o noted that the launch of the cargo division at the airport has opened various opportunities and put the bloc on the international trade map. He said the vast lake lying idle is unexploited, noting that they can revive fish processing factories that were shut many years ago over issues that can be resolved.
“There are vast land for the production of a variety of horticultural crops in the LREB catchment- from Busia through Kakamega to Bungoma to Nyamira and Migori. We have goodwill from our partners. Let us get down to work. We are already seeing it in action,” he said.
The governor said the airport, though built to international standards, has never handled cargo and lauded the Kenya Airports Authority and Kenya Airways for the achievement made so far. The KQ plane which carried the first export cargo from Kisumu will change the course of the economic history of the region.
“What we are witnessing is a major economic boom for this region. It is a major statement that we have been sitting on a massive economic potential. I am sure this Airport will never be the same again after this first export,” he said.
