SOUTH EASTERN KENYA ECONOMIC BLOCK is eminent and everyone should be geared towards it's actualization.

The idea of buy Local Sell Local should be the anchor of progress in the Counties of Machakos, Kitui and Makueni. The three Counties host successful industries that are a major source of revenue for the Country and that can occasion true development and a social and economic transformation within our region. This include Mabati Rolling Mills, Portland Cement, Bamburi Cement, Kitui County Textile Centre, Kalamba Fruit Processing Plant among many others.

The three counties are also the leading producers of the best fruits in East Africa. The best Sand soil that is  mostly sold in major towns for construction is harvested in Ukambani despite local authorities in collaboration with the community banning sand harvesting.

If all this products can be manufactured, refined and packaged locally, this would mean creation of more jobs locally, empowerment of the locals to cater for their basic needs and eventually generation of revenue to improve on infrastructure locally.

However, SEKEB seams to have started on a wrong footing. Alfred Mutua of Machakos betrayed the pact that recently met in Kitui when he quickly took to social media and posted numerous selfies. on his caption, he said that the first thing tey would do would be to set up a regional bank. Yes a bank. But the big question is, do we need a bank as a region? Do we have unique needs that require our own bank? Are the youths job secured to be able to need a unique bank to deposit their salaries or invest? Have we exploited the available resources to warrant us require a regional bank?

With the stability of Makueni County and Kitui County, Machakos County under the strict focused leadership of the MCA's, MP's, Senators and Governor, a clear leadership role is needed to steer the South Eastern Economic Block to greater heights.

By Kelvin Mutwiwa

Development Communication