Taita Taveta County Business Agenda

TAITA TAVETA COUNTY BUSINESS AGENDA An Advocacy Tool for the Taita Taveta County Business Coalition

Creating Economic Prosperity for Investors in a Pleasurable Regional Destination

Taita Taveta Business Coalition

Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA) Head Office KCTA Building Moi Avenue and Agakhan Road Junction P.O Box 99574 80107, Mombasa Telephone: +254 722 475796, 041 2225428 Email: kenyacoastta@gmail.com ceo@kenyacoast.net All Rights Reserved A publication of the Kenya Coast Tourist Association

Copyright The material in this work is copyrighted. Except for the quotation of short passages and sections for which due acknowledgement MUST be made, no part of this report may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior authority of The Kenya Coast Tourist Association.

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Map Showing Mombasa County

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

Contents

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Foreword

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Remarks by the Governor

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From Millicent

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Acknowledgements

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Abbreviations

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

PART 1 Introduction Background of County Round Tables in Kenya With the concept of devolution firmly enshrined in the constitution of Kenya ,2010, the private sector reckons the urgent need for reorganizing it's advocacy approach to ensure devolution works for business, without interrupting them or taking away from gains already reaped from the previous business advocacy.

Armed with this realization and appreciating the importance of solidarity in advocacy, Business Membership Organizations (BMOs) jointly organized a national consultative forum dibbed Ensuring devolution delivers for business: th Building Coalitions in pursuit of business interest on the 18 April 2013. This national forum resolves that “devolution must not interrupt business: it must deliver for business and the county at large�

To ensure that devolution delivers for business, the national consultative meetings for Business Membership Organizations further resolved to adopt a new advocacy strategy for lobbying county governments. The BMOs agreed to formulate clear, structured and workable ways and channels to engaging county government to ensure coherence and consistency in their advocacy. In this line, BMOs in each county would create coalitions to pursue advocacy in the county governments through well organized forums, preferably, county round tables.

The national meeting also resolved that BMOs in each region in Kenya would strive towards establishing a regional business agenda to avoid multiple and repetitive encounters with county leadership. Thos would in turn ensure coherent and consistent statement of business issues with a strong and united voice.

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Main objective of the BMOs' coalition To create a platform for continuous dialogue and enhance the cooperation between the Private sector and the County Government and ensure we have an inclusive, sustainable development agenda with social cohesion and stability.

To develop clear, formal and well known mechanism of engagement with the county leadership, and clear channeling of pertinent issues.

To ensure that the representatives of the business community in a specific county are involved in a unified and coordinated manner in the identification and presentation of issues to the county governor in a collective manner as this makes the adoption of issues/ recommendations easier.

To develop a unified concrete recommendations on issues to facilitate the creation of a conducive business environment in the county.

To jointly identify common issues of interest, affecting business specific to the county.

Key Objectives of Taita Taveta County Governor's Round Table ¡ To create a platform for continuous dialogue and enhance the cooperation between the Private sector and the County Government and ensure we have an inclusive, sustainable development agenda with social cohesion and stability.

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To develop clear, formal and well known mechanism of engagement with the county leadership, and clear channeling of pertinent issues.

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To ensure that the representatives of the business community in a specific county are involved in a unified and coordinated manner in the identification and presentation of issues to the county governor in a collective manner as this makes the adoption of issues/ recommendations easier.

Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

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To develop a unified concrete recommendations on issues to facilitate the creation of a conducive business environment in the county.

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To jointly identify common issues of interest, affecting business specific to the county.

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TAITA TAVETA COUNTY GOVERNOR'S ROUND TABLE

In the light of the resolutions from the BMOs' national consultative meeting of the 18th April 2013, Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA) mobilized BMOs from Lamu County under the auspices of Lamu County Regional Business Agenda to organize the county round table on the 19th December 2013. The Lamu a county Governor's Round table was attended among others the ---------- and the Mombasa County Business Community under the umbrella of the Lamu County Regional Agenda and other non affiliate business people.

Issues affecting the business community in the county, opportunities for investment in the county and governance issues were explored through the presentations by both the business community and county leadership. The private sector grouped itself under ----- thematic areas, chaired by nominates county executive The content of this guide reflects the outcome of discussions in these thematic areas and recommendations that were arrived at by each group. The way forward in this guide reflects the consensus arrived at by the county government and private sector after follow ups made by each group.

Expectations of the business community

That following the first round table in Taita Taveta County, a foundation for a lasting relationship between the business community and the county government will have been established and that the going forward , the Taita Taveta County Business coalition will be able to actively engage the County Government during its 2013- 2017 tenure.

That the Taita Taveta County Business coalition will coordinate and support efforts by the entire business community in Taita Taveta County to influence the county government to implement business friendly regulations and encourage investment, this making Taita Taveta county the most competitive county.

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

That the issues identified in this guide will inform the development of a check list of actionable issues by the Taita Taveta County Government for the next five years.

Despite the fact that some of these issues identified in this guide will evolve, with some being addressed within a year of the date of this guide or even shorter or some having been addressed, it is the expectation of the business in Taita Taveta that the county government will use this guide as a reference document in developing Taita Taveta County Integrated development plan as contemplated by the County Government Act.

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PART 11 Taita Taveta County Fact File Taita-Taveta County lies approximately 200 km northwest of Mombasa and 360 km southeast of Nairobi. The capital is Mwatate even though it is the fourth-largest town in the county after Voi, Wundanyi and Taveta in that order. Taita Taveta County has 4 constituencies (Taveta, Wundanyi, Mwatate and Voi).

The population of the county is well over 250,000 persons with population densities ranging from 3 persons per km2 to more than 800 persons per km2. This is due to the varied rainfall and terrain with the lower zones receiving an average 440 mm of rain per annum and the highland areas receiving up to 1900 mm of rain. The range rises in altitude from 500 m above sea level to almost 2,300 m at vuria peak which is the highest.

The county covers an area of 17,083.9 km2 of which a bulk 62% or 11,100 km2 is within Tsavo East and Tsavo West National Parks. The remaining 5,876 km2 is occupied by ranches, sisal estates, water bodies such as Lakes Chala and Jipe in Taveta and mzima springs, and the hilltop forests which occupy less than 100 km2 or approximately 10 km² out of 587.5 km².

The lowland areas of the district that do not belong to national parks are divided to ranches, estates and wild life sanctuaries. The district has approximately 25 ranches. The main land use in ranch is cattle grazing.

Taita Taveta County has recently seen great developments in its mineral mining sector after traces of iron ore were discovered in 1992. Asbestos, chalk, limestone, gemstones, construction stones and sand are also among the regions minerals portfolio.

The county is known for its large-scale sisal farming with vast sisal plantations covering the area. The county is ecologically diverse with an number of forests hosting a large variety of indigenous and exotic tree species The three operating sisal estates of the district are the Teita Sisal Estate, Voi Sisal Estate and Taveta Sisal Estate. Many ranches utilize also wildlife tourism and conservation.

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

Current Issues affecting Taita Taveta County AGRICULTURE · · · · · · · ·

Poor land policies Unfair competition from middlemen especially the dairy farming Poor farming methods, breeds and breeding methods, No title deeds in ranches, illegal grazers and lack of field extension services High costs of farm input Counterfeit agro-vet products High bank interest rates Lack of interest from the youths in farming Dairy farmers lack data on breeds, no AI services, monopoly by Brookside

TOURISM • • • •

Lack of a structured development plan.

Lack of tourism facilities like hotels, camping facilities.

Over reliance on KWS owned facilities Human wildlife conflict escalating poaching

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Low Revenue collection (Tourism)

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Lack of transparency on the amounts of revenue collected from the parks.

Identify revenue generating streams Airstrips in deplorable conditions (non operational) Tourism product is not diversified.

Lack of relevant skills Unmarketed Historical sites, WW 1 battlefields, Lumo campsites Poor communication with the parks

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RETAIL BUSINESS Lack of understanding the existing legislation Benefit from 30% procurement regulation by women Lack of Marketing High costs of doing business Poor road network and poor road surface conditions Lack of loan facilities Lack business ethics i.e. unscrupulous businesses and insecurity Taita Taveta county image is not conspicuous RANCHING • • • •

Lack of capital.

Poor breeds in the market.

Poor marketing of products.

Poor management and physical structures

MINING Lack of capital Lack of technical skills in mining by local.

Short term licensing policy.

Too many licenses.

Lack of infrastructure water, power and access roads and phone network.

Land owner/miner conflicts.

Need for functioning airstrip Health challenges within mining sites.

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

EDUCATION • • • •

Poor infrastructure, mostly roads, housing, ICT, transport, hostels and class rooms.

High pregnancy rates and drop out.

Lack of marketing for higher education to encourage our youths to pursue their education.

Lack of finances for students.

CONSERVATION Lack of Sustainable tourism (ecotourism) enforcement.

Rampant poaching and wanton distraction of the environment by locals Destruction of Taita Hills Catchment Area leading to water scarcity.

Mining policies not addressing environmental concerns.

Lack of sponsors for conservation activities

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PART 111 Recommendations AGRICULTURE • Change in land policies and land tenure systems • Improved storage facilities for dairy farmers and ready markets • Re introduction of field extension services to enlighten farmers on best practice.

• Dipping and veterinary services • Provide genuine and subsidized farm inputs similar to what is happening in Rift valley • Help farmers through organized farmer's associations to market their produce • Negotiate for low interests from banks, farmer's associations at high levels • Encourage youth groups to indulge in farming.

• Allocate part of 4000 acres earmarked for Taita Taveta County to youth investments.

• Partner with private sector to lease equipment to the youths • Training and capacity building on farming and entrepreneurial skills.

• Strengthen dairy farming TOURISM • Structured development plans • Attract investors in this sector • Seek alternative tourism attractions like rock climbing, day trips, cave visits and site seeing • Involve locals in tourism activities and educate them on the repercussions of poaching • Streamline revenue collection.

• Advocate for shared revenue with the central government on park collection.

• Working on documentary to popularize them.

• Waive licenses and develop the home stay • Develop home-stays. 100 identified at 16

Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

-Sagalla, -Mwatate, -Wundanyi, -Mwanda, -Mwakinyungu, -Nyache, -Shagha, -voi, Josa, -Mbengonyo, -Shigaro, -Ruma, -Ngangao, -Sesonyi, -Mgambonyi, -Mabomani, -Kaloleni, -Mbale, -Weregha, -Mwaroko, Kishushe, Ksigau, Maungu, Lake Jipe, Challa • •

Diversify tourism products Build convention centre

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Seek alternative tourism attractions like rock climbing, day trips, cave visits and site seeing, amusement park, cultural centre, Battle fields- (opportunity in marketing 100yrs),

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Training for the relevant sector skills in partnership with the private. Develop county training curriculum and develop a partnership with Hype centenary anniversary of WW1.

Document all historical sites.

County government to set aside funds to promote community based tourisms.

Partner with private sector to install more cell phone boosters in the region

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RETAIL BUSINESS • • • • • • • • • • • • •

To be involved in the formulation of the by-laws on taxes.

Representation in boards i.e. town boards Set up business and investment information center Streamline provision of fair distribution of tenders Mapping of all business sectors and marketing through exhibitions, trade fares Encourage value addition Mainstream revenue collection.

Integrate single business permits Improve roads by regular maintenance Voi- Mwatate road Involve banks in negotiating for cheap loans through organized groupings Advocate for fair access to Uwezo fund Enhance community policing and business ethics Rebranding of Taita Taveta county

RANCHING • • • • • •

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Negotiate for cheap loans and support from a governor's kitty.

Research and improve breeds in partnership with KARI and training institutions.

Organized joint marketing through cooperatives.

Fast track the construction of modern slaughter house.

Engage proper, professional management.

Partner with KARI to develop former Bachuma

Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

MINING • • • • • • • • • •

Attract investors and financiers.

Capacity building in collaboration with training institutions.

Establish mobile clinics to sensitize locals on mining Review licensing periods to 5 years.

Establish a gemstone centre in Mwatate.

Provide the necessary infrastructure.

Establish Proper legislation and arbitrations.

Need for enhanced security Upgrade existing airstrips to operational level.

Need for health facilities.

EDUCATION • • • • • •

Repair and Construction of roads of roads.

Provision of ICT platform.

Involve private sector in housing and public transport sector.

Encourage adult education and sensitize communities on education.

Aggressive marketing campaigns.

Establish Bursaries and grants to needy students to access education.

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Need for sensitization and environmental education.

Advocate for increased number of KWS recruits from Taita Taveta County. This will make community appreciate the needs for conservation and partner with government towards conservation.

Proper legislation and sensitization on conservation.

Develop livelihood products like aloe Vera.

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Promote community nature based tourism.

Provide alternative sources of energy.

Harness rainwater harvesting through construction of dams.

Enhance infrastructure development.

Support and advocate for simplifying wildlife farming.

Encourage tree planting in partnership with private sector.

Conservancies in Taita Taveta to be managed by the local communities.

Lobby for a Legislation that allows sustainable mining and minimize conflict.

Sponsor and encourage conservationist activities by county government by having a budget.

Establish County catchment conservation fund.

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Conclusion

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References

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

List of BMO's present

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Photograph

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Taita Taveta County Business Agenda 2014

Kenya Coast Tourist Association (KCTA) Head Office KCTA Building Moi Avenue and Agakhan Road Junction P.O Box 99574 80107, Mombasa Telephone: +254 722 475796, 041 2225428 Email: kenyacoastta@gmail.com ceo@kenyacoast.net All Rights Reserved A publication of the Kenya Coast Tourist Association