IS KISUMU CRAWLING BACK TO LIFE- PICTORIAL

[job]

Kisumu waterfront

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Mall entrance -Kisumu







Inside Kisumu mall

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Lake shot

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Old St Stephen's Anglican Church

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St Joseph's Catholic Church

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Kisumu Mosque

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Kisumu Hindu Temple

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Using abundant solar to dry clothes

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Molasses plant -partial view

[job]

X-mas decorations before elections



THE END...ENJOY

[politicalmaniac]

job said:

Molasses plant -partial view

Up an' runin' ;D ;D ;D ;D
wonder how Mumias looks like

[wakwitu]

There are some sites that should be ensirend in the national archives:
The approach of Kisumu from Riat - I love it [thanx]
The site of Naivasha "plains" from Limuru
The site of Athi River from Nairobi National Park [Lan'gata]
The view overlooking Rift Valley From Limuru

[job]

Totally agree.

[politicalmaniac]

job said:

Totally agree.

Hebu give first hand info on the state of Molasses plant!
Thanks

[dmutai]

I love Kisumu. There is something special about that city.

The Prime Minister and Government should endeavor to build Kisumu as the central hub for the East African Community.

[job]

PM,

As you know, Kisumu is one of seven African cities selected by UN for development as Millenium model cities. The UNDP, EU, EAC and the Kenyan and Finnish governments together with the fraternity of Kisumu’s business community are actively involved in promoting this strategic city for investments.

The post election violence was a big set back, and ALL concerned stakeholders must strive A LOT to regain the confidence of investors, both local and foreign. More locals must take the initiative to set up their own businesses. The local Indian community must be encouraged and supported in rebuilding damaged premises. Folks like former Nyanza PC, Joseph Kaguthi must be convinced and supported to rebuild the previously thriving Kimwa businesses recently burnt down.

The Molasses plant plays a lead role in showcasing industrial investments, which I believe is very crucial for Kisumu’s future. Sugar is the major industry in western Kenya supporting millions of smallholders. The Molasses plant is one such sugar related investment responding to future global needs for alternative fuels - set to make biofuels. (Remember, the EU has set a target of using biofuels in 10 per cent of all its cars by 2020, creating a large potential market for the fuels).




Molasses Plant side view




Despite relentless political taxation set-backs placed on its way by the previous Kibaki government, it has thrived. Remember when Kimunya and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) directed spirit producers like Kisumu Molasses to pay what amounts to 400% of the product price in taxes up front. This is the sort of taxation that seeks to kill targetted industries and investments. Anyway, the company employs hundreds of Kisumu residents (targets 2000 employees by 2009) to produce export-quality industrial alcohols like ethanol, industrial solvents, yeast, spirits and even beverage alcohols.

The plant is also diversifying to the Kenyan oil industry, in response to expensive petrol. They have set up a unit for blending the ethanol it produces with petroleum gas for export and for local industrial use (will be cheaper). In Brazil, vehicles run on a gasoline-ethanol mix, sometimes predominantly using ethanol as the only fuel.

The future for Kisumu looks bright, so long as infrastructure is improved, good economic policies supporting surrounding sugar industry & feasible alternatives are implemented, the fishing sector is revived to involve small fishermen & women, aggressive marketing and promotion for investors is done, and policies to stimulate growth in manufacturing and service sectors are placed.

We all know Kisumu was booming in the 60s and 70s. In the 80s, trade liberalization, (with Moi’s failure to respond by economic policies that protected indigenous industries) damaged the traditional cotton and sugar industries. Kicomi Textiles instantly died, laying off thousands who supported tens of thousands. The sugar industry still ails. The surrounding economies almost collapsed and REAL poverty visited the entire Nyanza. There has since been no recovery.

Besides, Moi ensured that the ailing sugar industry was dominated by parastatals run by his political appointees. He also neglected Nyanza infrastructure, thus raising production costs and reducing market access. This led to Kisumu Breweries and other companies relocating to other sites.

Then came Lake Victoria pollution and the water hyacinth which greatly limited port functions, almost paralyzing it completely and even permanently trapping some old vessels at the dock. This weed has not been completely dealt with yet, still covering substantial portions of the waterway.



Old Vessel stuck in hyacinth & blocking waterway


Today, with the GCG, the chief challenge besides rebuilding damaged infrastructure (including complete clearing of the hyacinth) and re-instilling investor confidence, is protection of the sugar industry against much cheaper imports from COMESA partners (esp. Egypt and Swaziland), which is set to disappear when the agreement ends.

ODM must ensure that the agreement is continuously extended & safeguarded to guarantee protection and restrict sugar imports.

My biggest desire for Kisumu (as a Kisumu investor) is to attract and market all types of investors into the town. This is a beautiful and prosperous city. The standard of living is very cheap compared to Nairobi. Most urgent is to involve the local indigenous community in more business and investment opportunities. Even marketing Kisumu for Tourism is a good start.

The local business community and residents need to give commerce some serious respect. The local branch of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry need to get serious, with local supporters doing more to demand respect from Nairobi. Even through some local support they can come up with a building that signifies fresh attitude towards business. The current building housing the Kisumu chamber of commerce needs some serious ICU upgrade if not a new one.



The Kisumu Chamber of Commerce Building - Nyasaye wuora!



More than 70% of the economy of Kisumu is currently not controlled by indigenous hands. Locals will have to do a lot and also learn from the success stories of families that have built respective vibrant enterprises.

Look at the local Kisumu Indian families- the Gilanis, Shahs and even the notorious Pattnis and Somaias.

Gilani started the Mayfair bakery in 1966,…it thrived and yielded the Imperial hotel (one of the town’s most beautiful) and Peche Foods Co - one the country’s biggest fish processors and exporters. The Swan family also started with packing table salt, then went into making sweets, and is now one of the country’s largest. The Nderi family established a business empire in a short time. Locals need to pull up their socks.

[job]

Kisumu traders seek road, airport upgrade
Daily Nation

Story by DAN OBIERO
Publication Date: 4/19/2008

Entrepreneurs in Kisumu town are concerned over the poor investment environment in the region, accusing the government of not doing enough to remedy it.

Among areas of concern is the delayed planned expansion of Kisumu Airport, and the poor roads to the lakeside town, among them the highway to Kericho and Nakuru.

The chairman of Western and Nyanza provinces’ chapter of the Kenya Association of Manufactures (KAM), Mr Sailesh Shah, said urgent action was necessary to restore boost investment in the town.

“Nothing is being said of the expansion of the Kisumu Airport for instance,” Mr Shah said.

He also called for improvement of the port on Lake Victoria, which is currently choking with the water hyacinth.

The traders raised their concerns when they met top government officials from Nyanza over reconstruction of the town after January’s post-election violence. Mr Shah cautioned against rushed decisions.

“Rebuilding societies and economies requires time, patience and sustained commitment, and we do not expect quick fix solutions,” said Mr Shah.

Consultations

Nyanza deputy provincial commissioner, Joseph Irungu who represented the government assured of a conducive environment for growth.

A consultative forum to address the issues will be held.

“With the swearing in of the cabinet at the national level, it is time now to come down and begin rebuilding the town,” said the administrator.

[job]

Kenya: $38m Kisumu Airport Tips Jobs, Contracts

East African Business Week (Kampala)
10 March 2008
Posted to the web 10 March 2008

Samuel Otieno
Nairobi

The expansion of Kisumu airport which for long has been in the balance is finally starting, the Kenya civil aviation authority has said.

The KAA moved swiftly just when the residents had cast doubt on the 2006 pronouncement by Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki that the airport work was set to start early last year.


Last year during the agricultural society of Kenya show in Kisumu, president Kibaki said the expansion of Kisumu and other airports in the country would start soon.

Other airports on the same programme are other, Jomo Kenyatta Malindi, Wajir and Wilson.

With the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta having started last year, the question on the commitment of the government on the expansion of Kisumu emerged with many casting doubt that the planned expansion was a political gimmick.

However, last week Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) officials said the plans were concrete.

The Authority's projects manager, Mr. Philemon Chamwada, said the setback in starting the project was regrettable.

"Work is starting soon. A contractor is about to move to the site, the delays in procurement of materials needed for the study had made it necessary to allow more time for the implementation of the project," he said.

Chamwada said although the work is scheduled to start next month, the authority is still evaluating who to award the contract between the three parties who had earlier applied for the job.

He said the expansion, expected to start this month, was partly delayed following uncertainty occasioned by post-election skirmishes.

"We are now set to start. We are evaluating the three contractors that were short-listed," said Chamwada. Detailed feasibility studies and Environmental Impact Assessments that had to be done before works starts, had earlier delayed the project.

Once completed, it is expected that the new airport will increase its revenue base from the current limited potential. The airport has been able to collect more than Ksh40million (US$600,0000) per year in landing fees.

The rehabilitation and expansion work will involve lengthening the 1.7km runway to three kilometers and widen it to accommodate bigger planes like the 400 seater Boeing 767.

Currently, the airport runway can only accommodate light aircraft, with the largest being the 85-seater DC-9.

"Because of our low altitude, the expanded airport will not need a very long runway like in other airports. We will be in a position to handle more and bigger aircraft with the 3.2 km runway," said the airport manger Mr. Joseph Okumu.

It will also have a new lounge to handle up to 280 passengers an hour, a new spacious parking bay, a terminal building, an apron and taxiway.

On completion, the airport is expected to handle giant Boeing 737 planes that will fly directly from Kisumu to other international destinations. The building of a modern control tower and a terminal with separate lounges for arrivals and departures, will also form part of the upgrade.

The airport is also expected to start handling cargo once cargo planes start using the facility. Currently, fish and flowers from the region, have to be transported to Nairobi by road resulting in heavy losses in terms of time, wastage and added transport costs.

Kisumu is expected to be bigger than Wilson Airport and capable of taking in four Boeings and up to seven smaller planes at once.

However, despite this fast tracking of airport works, the earmarked land for expansion is still in question with communities living nearby demanding to be compensated before they migrate the land.

In addition to compensation, the community, Kogony Clan, are also demanding to be paid the loss they incurred after the current airport was built in Kisumu.

The Ksh2.6 billion ($38m) airport expansion plan has been in the pipeline since 2003 when Kenya Civil Aviation Authority embarked on a plan to upgrade its airlines across the country to international standards. The land issues and procurement processes have been hindering its expansion.

When completed, Kisumu Airport will be Kenya's fourth international airport after Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Moi International Airport, Mombassa, and Eldoret International Airport in Eldoret.

With an expanded capacity, the airport is expected to serve more regional and international customers courtesy of augmented trade as East Africa moves towards integration.

Its apron area is about 11,500 sq m, which can accommodate simultaneously two aircraft of F-50 type and three additional general aviation aircraft.

Kisumu Airport's runway is 2,140.50 metres long, which is linked to the apron by two oblique taxiways 15 metres wide. The airport is going to be expanded to handle larger aircraft to further open up the western region and to enable passengers and cargo to be delivered directly to the Kenyan regional markets.

The passenger terminal is a single storey building of an area of 500 sq metres, consisting of a common arrivals/departure hall, a cafeteria, VIP lounge and offices.

The airport is meant to open up the western Kenya region to investors in various sub-sectors of the economy and in particular, the development of the Western Kenya tourism circuit, fisheries and agriculture. Further, the expansion of Kisumu Airport will enable passengers and cargo to be airlifted directly to regional markets, thereby creating investment opportunities, jobs and stimulating economic growth.

[job]

UPDATE - from reliable ground sources in Kisumu.






Townclock



Kisumu seems to be coming back to life.




Coming back to normal






Human, bicycle and motor traffic



Improved business is being recorded. Local Leadership seems focused and incidentally, all three leaders, Mayor - Sam Okello, and MPs, - Shakeel Shabir and Olago Aluoch are successful businessmen.


Olago runs the Kenyatta sports ground club





All supermarkets have re-opened their doors, except one Ukwala branch, still being rebuilt and stocked.


Swan Centre



Small scale traders are benefiting from a new campaign by several organisations that have embarked on a drive to assist small-scale entrepreneurs and individuals adversely affected by the violence. One such group is the Kisumu Residents Forum that has raised quite some funds.

A trauma counseling centre for school children, victims of violence and families who lost loved ones is running at St. Stephens.

The water company (Lake Victoria Water Services) has embarked on an expansion project this month.

Most banks were spared in the violence except the Post Bank branch on Oginga Odinga Street that had its windows shattered. It’s been rebuilt & business is back.

The fishing industry in Lake Victoria is back to pre-violence levels. Small scale fishing has resumed. The commercial fish-processing firm is now operating. The hyacinth menace still limits a lot of fishing besides water transportation.


The hyacinth mess



The only sector that has not shown significant improvement is tourism as tourists are yet to return. Re-branding of the Impala Sanctuary that was to take place in January was postponed.

The transport sector is recovering. Boda bodas, Tuktuks, Kondele Taxis, Matatus, Buses, Rail, Ferry, & Air. The cost of all forms of transport has gone up.


Boarding Ship to Tanzania at Kisumu port




BIGGEST CONCERNS PENDING;

* Bad roads - especially Kericho-Kisumu Highway, and also other roads within the City.


Many of Kisumu roads need improvement



* Airport Upgrade to Int’l status (promises, promises, no action)


Kisumu Airport - a promise for expansion is set to begin

* Hyacinth still limiting Port use



* Marketing and promoting city for Tourism and Investment.

[politicalmaniac]

Job
I salute you for this update.
Need to see whats going on in Western too.

[job]

Don't have any updates from the land of Mulembe....I don't know how severe the damage in kakamega, Kitale & Busia were.

[denno]

www.pabarisparadise.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

[mzee]

Nyanza Economic Conference 2008

University Hotel, Kisumu, Kenya – 7 & 8 August, 2008


Preliminary Programme (Day 1)


08h00-08h30 Registration, Tea/Coffee08h30-10h00 OPENING SESSION (CHAIR: Mr Pete Ondeng’)Opening & Introduction
• Mary Onyango, Chair, Nyanza Economic Forum Official Welcome
• His Worship, Mr. Sam Okello, Mayor of Kisumu

Opening Remarks
• Mr. Paul Olando, Nyanza Provincial Commissioner

Keynote Address
• Hon. William Ruto, Minister for Agriculture

10H00 –10H30 Tea/Coffee 10H30-13H00 SESSION II: KEY SECTORS (CHAIR: Mr George Ooko)10H30-11H00 FISH INDUSTRY: Nyanza’s Unexploited Lake Resources
• Hon. James Otuoma, Minister for Fisheries


11H00-11H30 FINANCIAL SERVICES: Reaching the Unreached
• Mr. Joseph Kwaka, Executive Director, Community Aid International
11H30-12H00 KENYA DEVELOPMENT FUND CORP (KDFC): The Diaspora’s Response to Investment in Nyanza
• Mr. Peter Odhengo and Mr. David Ndolo, KDFC-Kenya
12H00-12H30 AGRIBUSINESS: Towards Commercial Agriculture in Nyanza
• Dr. Peter Okoth, Project Manager, Tropical Soil Biology & Fertility Institute


12H30-13H00 MANGO PROCESSING and Value Addition for Increased Incomes
• Mr. Arshfod Njagi, Manager, GTZ—PSDA
13H00 –14H00 Lunch 14H00-17H00 SESSION III: KEY SECTORS (Cont.)
(CHAIR: Ms Joyce Miguda Majiwa)
14H00-14H30 Vision 2030: Implications for the Development of Western Kenya
• Mr. David S. Nalo, PS, Ministry of East African Corporation

14H30-15H00 DAIRY: Proven Strategies for Small Producers
• Mr. Fred Ogana, Country Director, Technoserve

15H00-15H30 TOURISM: Can Nyanza be the Next Frontier for Tourism?
• Dr. Ongong’a Achieng, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board15H30-16H00 SUGAR

INDUSTRY: How to Maximize the Economic Impact of Sugar in Nyanza
• Mr. Martin Owiti Odero, Managing Director, Muhoroni Sugar Company

16H00-16H30 FOREIGN INVESTMENTS IN KENYA: What Does Nyanza Need to Know?

16H30 -17H00 Tea/Coffee
• Mrs. Susan Kikwai, Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority

17H00-18H00 Plenary Discussion
(Joint Chairs: Mr. Goerge Ooko & Ms. J. M. Majiwa)18h00-19h30 Cocktail/Reception
(Sponsored by KCB, Short Speech, Martin Oduor Otieno)

21H30-22H30 SESSION IV:
PANEL DISCUSSION
(Coordinator, Mr. Pete Ondeng’)
21h30-22H30 Panel

Discussion-live on Citizen TV: “Louis Otieno Live”; (Panelists below)
Nyanza Economic Conference 2008

University Hotel, Kisumu, Kenya – 7 & 8 August, 2008
(Day 2)


08H00-10H30 SESSION V: EMERGING EFFORTS & LESSONS LEARNT
(CHAIR: Mr Joseph Kwaka)

08H00-08H30 The Proposed Lake View Resort City Initiative
• Mr. Ndevi Muli, Managing Director, Kenya Railways Corporation

08H30-09H00 How should the Private Sector Contribute to the Rural Nyanza Economy?
• Mr. Sunil Shah, Kisumu Businessman
• Ms. Josephine Omanwa, MD of Jonzavike Stationers & Bookshop, Kisii

09h00-09H30 The Pathway to Success: What should we know about success in Business?
• Mr. Fred Osewe, Proprietor, Ranalo Foods
• Mr. Hasmukh Dawda, Chairman, House of Manji
• Mrs. Munira Gilani, Director Fresh-foods Limited, Kisumu
09H30-10H00 Green Forest Social Investment Trust: The Case of Suba Green Initiative
• Dr. Kim Hartog, Green Forest Investment Trust
10H00-10H30 FINANCIAL SERVICES: Reaching the Unreached
• Mr. Martin Oduor-Otieno, Managing Director, Kenya Commercial Bank
10H30 – 11H00 Tea/Coffee Break 11H00-12H30 SESSION VI:
THE ROLE OF MPS & CONCLUSIONS (CHAIR: Dr. PLO Lumumba)
11H00-12H00 Open Dialogue with Nyanza MPs.

12H00-12H15 Meeting Summary & Wrap Up-Dr. Peter Okoth
12H15-12H30 Way Forward – Mary Onyango, Chair, Nyanza Economic Forum


12H30-13H00 Closing Speech,
Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, Prime Minister

13H00 – Lunch 14H00-15H00 SESSION VII: MANGO PLANTING (CHAIR: Ms. Mary Onyango)

Selected Guests invited to plant mangoes in a Garden in Kisumu
Panel Discussion live on Citizen TV: (Louis Otieno Live)

Topic: “Putting Nyanza Back on a Path of Sustainable Development”

Time: Thursday Evening, 7th August, 9:30 pm

Panellists
· Hon. Dalmas Otieno, Minister for Public Service
· Prof. Stephen Agong’, Chairman, Kisumu Action Team
· Mr. Evans Kidero, MD, Mumias Sugar Company
· Ms Mary Onyango, Chairman, Nyanza Economic Forum.
· Ms. Betty Okero, Director, CSO Network (Kisumu)
· Mr Galib Tejpar, Director, Corner House Development Ltd. (Kisumu)