Governors in the North Rift have set in motion a process that will culminate in the region’s economic bloc – NOREB – getting legal backing.
On Friday, May 12, 2023, governors from counties that form the North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) signed a cooperation agreement that will activate the NOREB Bill.
The bill is now set to be presented to the 8 NOREB member County Assemblies and once approved, it will form the legal basis under which the economic bloc will be operating under.
This puts NOREB on course to be the first economic bloc in the country to have legal backing.
“NOREB has been in existence for more than five years without a legal framework. We have therefore come up with a NOREB Bill – 2023 that will be adopted and ratified by the various county governments,” Nandi Governor Stephen Sang who is also the bloc’s chairperson said.
According to Sang, the economic bloc is seeking to build on the competitive advantages of different economies among member counties.
Trade and joint investments
This, the NOREB chairperson said, will be achieved through fostering intra-regional trade as well as taking advantage of economies of scale from the various counties.
Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, and Samburu are some of the NOREB member counties.
Others are Turkana, West Pokot, as well as Samburu.
The region is known for pastoralism, Tourism, Agriculture, Logistics, Education, Health, Sports, ICT and other natural resources.
“The economic bloc is set to strengthen the North Rift Partner counties through trade and joint investments,” said Governor Sang.
“North Rift region has diverse climatic conditions that enable the region to produce a wide range of products and services in the different sectors of the economy,” he added.
NOREB has a vision of creating a Haven of Economic Prosperity under the motor of “Growing Together” which the counties believe will be achieved when they widen and deepen their economic, social and cultural integration and enhance trade, investment, tourism, competitiveness and economies of scale through synergy while leveraging on the strength of individual counties.
“The bloc will act as a one-stop shop for investors seeking opportunities in the region,” said the NOREB chairperson.
The NOREB Bill is now expected to be presented in the respective County Assemblies within the next two months.
