Siaya Governor James Orengo during a press briefing on the upcoming International Trade and Investment Conference. Photo by Odhiambo Odhiambo 
By Odhiambo Odhiambo
Siaya County is set to host its inaugural International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO) this October, in what is being billed as a game-changing forum to showcase the county’s economic potential and woo both local and foreign investors.
Governor James Orengo, speaking during a media briefing in Siaya, confirmed that the high-profile event will run from October 14 to 17, 2025, and will be graced by President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, both of whom have endorsed the initiative.
“SITICO is more than an event, it is a call to action. Our ambition is to translate investment interest into real projects that create jobs, expand markets, and improve livelihoods,” Governor Orengo said.
The four-day conference will align with the Siaya County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027), Kenya Vision 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
It is expected to bring together investors, innovators, policymakers, and community leaders to explore opportunities across key sectors, including agriculture, the blue economy, manufacturing, renewable energy, tourism, health, ICT, infrastructure, and mining.
Delegates will engage in keynote addresses, plenary sessions, exhibitions, business-to-business deal rooms, and guided field visits to strategic projects.
Among the investment-ready ventures on the table are agro-industrial parks, rice and cotton value chains, fish and omena processing plants, clean energy initiatives, eco-tourism at Lake Kanyaboli, logistics upgrades at Gombe Airstrip, pharmaceutical manufacturing, water schemes modernization, and digital outsourcing hubs.
Governor Orengo cited Siaya’s competitive advantages, highlighting its strategic location, expanding infrastructure, fertile land, vibrant blue economy, and youthful skilled workforce.
He further noted that oversight agencies have consistently ranked the county among the most transparent in Kenya, with timely payments to contractors and low incidences of bribery.
“We intend to set a new benchmark for county-level investment leadership in Kenya and across the region,” he said, assuring potential investors of predictable regulations, efficient facilitation, and professional aftercare services.
