1. 6th Devolution Conference Regional Economic Blocs in Kenya;
Emmanuel Lubembe HSC,
4th to 8th March, 2019,
Kirinyaga County
Regional Blocs in Kenya

2. Outline Composition; Rationale; Legal Position; Structures;
Policy & Legislative Framework;
Observations;
Prioritization.

3. Regional Economic Blocs
Lake Region Economic Bloc:
Kisumu,
Kakamega
Kericho,
Bomet
Vihiga
Bungoma
Busia,
Siaya,
Homa Bay
Kisii,
Nyamira
Migori,
Trans Nzoia*
Nandi*
North Rift Economic Bloc
Uasin Gishu,
Nandi,
Baringo,
Elgeyo Marakwet,
Turkana*
Samburu*
Nandi*
Trans Nzoia.*
Mount Kenya and Aberdares Economic Bloc
Meru,
Tharaka Nithi,
Embu,
Nyandarua,
Laikipia,
Nakuru
Nyeri,
Murang’a,
Kiambu
Kirinyaga

4. Regional Economic Blocs
Frontier Counties Development Council
Garissa
Wajir
Mandera
Marsabit
Isiolo,
West Pokot.
Turkana
Tana River.*
Lamu*
Samburu *
Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani
Mombasa
Kwale
Taita Taveta
Kilifi
Lamu*
Tana River*
South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc
Machakos,
Kitui
Makueni
Non- Aligned
Nairobi,
Narok
Kajiado.

5. Rationale for the Economic Blocs

6. Why Have a Regional Economic Bloc?
A Regional Economic Bloc would allow the counties in the Bloc to leverage each county’s competitive and comparative advantage, through economies of scale, sharing of natural resources, and specialisation. Specifically:
Access to wider markets nationally and regionally - eg. East African Community, COMESA, European Union.
Enhanced food security through a coordinated agricultural strategy
Economic growth through private sector investment by creating an enabling environment conducive for investment and trade initiatives that will attract private sector investment, or joint private public investments, which are crucial to economic growth and wealth creation plans.
Ultimate Objective
Improve the livelihoods of the people of the Region

7. Legal Position
Section 189 (2) of the Constitution:- Government at each level, and different governments at the county level, shall co-operate in the performance of functions and exercise of powers and, for that purpose, may set up joint committees and joint authorities.
Inter governmental Relations Act 3 (b)
The objects and purposes of this Act are to—
provide a framework for consultation and co-operation amongst county governments;
County Governments Act 6 (3):-
A county government may enter into partnerships with any public or
private organization in accordance with the provisions of any law relating to
public or private partnerships for any work, service or function for which it is
responsible within its area of jurisdiction.
@2015 Deloitte

8. Economic Growth & Wealth Creation
Regional Economic Growth
Increased Employment
Increased Productivity
Increased Revenue
Appropriate Policy & Legal Framework
Align with Vision 2030 Objectives
Align with MTP 111
Localize national development objectives through CIDPs
Identify overarching objectives
Harness Economic Resources
Prioritize Economic Sectors
Identify Investment Opportunities
Allocate Factors of Production
Identify Investment Partners
Regional Governance and Standards

9. Structures of Regional Blocs
Governors’ Caucus – Top Policy Organ; Provide Strategic Leadership and Direction; Executive Committee – Oversee implementation of decisions; (Council/Advisory Committee); Secretariat – Coordination of Bloc activities (mainly comprising seconded staff); Technical Pillars/Sectors - Identification of overarching projects; (headed by CECs); Need for a Delivery Unit?
Regional Blocs in Kenya

10. 1. Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC)
FCDC consists of 11 counties: Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Isiolo, Marsabit, Turkana, West Pokot, Lamu, Tana River, Samburu.
Have structures in place including the Governors’ Caucus, Advisory Committee, a Secretariat, and Sector Forums,
Has benefited from a World Bank grant for projects worth ksh. 120 billion,
Have launched there Socio-Economic Blueprint as a roadmap.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

11. 2. Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB)
LREB comprises 14 counties;
It is now a body corporate having had its legal instruments approved by 6 of its county assemblies;
Has an approved organogram consisting of a Summit (Governors), A Council, a Secretariat, and Pillar Committees run by CECs,
Funding- each county contributes an agreed amount (Ksh. 2m); has raised 1.3b for its proposed banking intitiative.
Has developed a Blueprint as a roadmap.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

12. 3. Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani (JYP)
JYP consists of 6 counties;
It has a fully operational Secretariat,
It has approached its work through sector committees;
Has recently focused on ICT, Gender Issues, Tourism, Agriculture and Blue Economy.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

13. 4. North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB)
NOREB consists of 8 counties;
The region is considered the food basket of Kenya;
It has developed policy and legislative frameworks, currently under discussion with stakeholders;
It is targeting manufacturing through setting up special economic zones;
Regional Blocs in Kenya

14. 5. Mount Kenya & Aberdares Economic Bloc
The Block consists of 10 counties;
It signed an MOU in February 2016;
Its main identified pillars were agriculture and agri-business, industrialisation, healthcare, tourism, water and resource management, infrastructure and ICT.
Governors from the region have met to revive and rename the Bloc as Central Kenya Economic Bloc (CEKEB);
They want to revive the Nairobi-Nanyuki disused railway in the region for goods and passengers transport.
They are putting in place a Secretariat to work on modalities of the revival.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

15. 6. South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB)
The newest Bloc consists of Makueni, Machakos and Kitui Counties;
The only Bloc with a Bishop as the Chairman of the Bloc;
They have a legal agreement for signing by the leaders;
They have involved county assembly leaders (Speakers) from the beginning in their discussions,
Their key areas of focus include: irrigated agriculture, water and resource management, manufacturing, and health.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

16. Policy and Legislative Frameworks
Ministry of Devolution has developed a draft Policy to guide and regulate formation of Regional Blocs.
LREB has a legal Instrument that has been approved by 6 of its county assemblies and therefore becomes law.
NOREB had draft policy and legal documents but not yet approved;
FCDC has a draft legal instrument currently being discussed by county assemblies.
SEKEB has a draft agreement currently under discussion by stakeholders.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

17. Areas of Prioritization
Blocs have prioritized areas considered important to the Region:
FCDC- Peace and Security, Livestock Development, Extractives, EDE and Radicalization
LREB-Agriculture, Health and Tourism ;
JYCZP-Tourism, Health, Gender,
NOREB-Agriculture and food security, Spwcial Economic Zones;
MK&AEB – Value Addition. Tourism, Manufacturing;
SEKEB – Newest. Irrigated Agriculture, Manufacturing, Health, Water and Resource Management
Regional Blocs in Kenya

18. Regional Blocs in Kenya
Observations
Institutional Framework;
Legal Framework;
Development of Road maps;
Data-driven analytics;
Engagement with Elected Leadership;
Round Table Meetings with Private Sector;
Engagement with Citizens;
Ease of Doing Business;
Geo-Mapping;
Funding.
Regional Blocs in Kenya

19. Regional Blocs in Kenya
Conclusion
Regional Economic Blocs provide an avenue for integrated economic growth;
Provide access to larger markets;
Ease inter-county trade;
Provide additional muscle for economic negotiations;
Regional Blocs in Kenya