The North Rift Economic Bloc (Noreb) is in the process setting up strategies that are aimed at ensuring counties in the bloc claim a spot in the East African Community (EAC) by exporting cash crops and improving the tourism sector.

According to Noreb chairman who is also the Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, they are finalising frameworks that include stepping up of horticultural farming in a bid to increase exports to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and other regional countries.

“We are in the process of finishing up very crucial strategies regarding this. Our counties are on the pathway to the East African Community and Noreb stands to benefit big time from exports of produce like coffee, tea and fruits,” said Mandago, during the Trans Nzoia Investment Conference (Tice) in Kitale on Thursday.

Mandago said his county government had already started encouraging farmers to engage in horticultural farming.

“Uasin Gishu is picking up very fast in production of passion fruits, mangoes and avocados which we are specially looking at not only delivering it to the regional market but also the European market,” he said.

“Trans Nzoia has good conditions for coffee and tea and therefore, investors are welcomed to set up a factory,” he added.

Noreb consists of Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Bungoma, Turkana, Nandi, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu and West Pokot counties.

Source: Uasin-Gishu County News

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