Kenyan delegation looks to replicate southern Alberta town's success

James Orengo says he wants his county in east Africa to be more like a town in southern Alberta.

"What we have seen here in Taber is worth replicating in our country," said Orengo, who is governor of Siaya County in western Kenya.

He and a delegation from the county are in Taber 190 kilometres southeast of Calgary for a knowledge-sharing visit.

Agriculture is the heartbeat of the economy inTaberand its surrounding municipal district.

The area grows wheat, canola, barley and other crops, including vegetables. It is also home to Canada's only sugar beet refinery.

Orengo says the town of under 10,000 offers a blueprint for Siaya.

"We want to transform agriculture from being a subsistence economy to a process that can transform the lives of our people," he said.

While in Taber, the group will tour farms and food processing plants, along with municipal services such as wastewater treatment facilities.

Personal connection sparks collaboration

Taber Mayor Andrew Prokop says the seeds for Taber's budding connection to Siaya were first planted by the town's chief financial officer, John Orwa, who was born and raised in Kenya.

"He had connections with the Kenyan government officials over there previously. He still visits there annually, his mother is still living there," said Prokop.

Orwa asked the Taber council if they would be interested in hosting a delegation from Siaya, which they agreed to.

After the Siaya delegation's first visit in 2018, a group from Taber returned the favour in 2022.

That year, Taber was twinned with Siaya's largest municipality, Bondo, and the two governments signed a memorandum of understanding.

New knowledge for new government

Located in western Kenya, Siaya is one of 47 counties created by the country's 2010 constitution to replace its old provincial system.

Orengo says creating the counties was part of a devolution of power that gave regional governments more autonomy over their own affairs.

"By being more attuned to the needs of local citizens, our local governments are better placed to serve the needs of the people," said Orengo while speaking to Taber town council on July 10.

Now, the counties are in charge of matters such as health, tradeand agriculture. Learning about governance and administration is also a key part of this trip to Taber.

"We have a lot to learn because our system of government at the county level is a new experience. We don't have to go to national systems. We need to come down to municipalities and counties and provinces and see how they are governed," said Orengo.

Agriculture key to region's development, says governor

Siaya has over one million residents, most of whom live in rural areas. Orengo says most people farm to feed themselves, meaning there is room for agriculture to expand.

He says developing the industry is a key part of his government's plan to create jobs, improve food securityand stimulate commerce and industry.

"We think we can modernize [and] industrialize using agriculture as an anchor pillar, and already we're getting signs that [it] can be done," said Orengo.

The county is bordered to the south by Lake Victoria Africa's largest lake, and the second largest freshwater lake in the world.

Orengo says being close to such a large water source means there's a lot of untapped potential for irrigation.

During his visit to Siaya, Prokop saw a plot of 10 acres (4 hectares)being tested with an irrigation system, he said.

"Just an overgrown kind of a four-inch garden hose type setup with a water holding tank pressured up from the lake about 300 metres. That's all they could irrigate through this very, very basic system," said Prokop.

He says one of the wheel line irrigation systems that have been a staple across southern Alberta for decades would be able to service up to 160 acres (65 ha) of farmland.

"A wheel setup would be very user-friendly, and there's very low maintenance involved. Basically, a good motor system to move the water system is all it takes," he said.

According to a news release, the Town of Taberhas met officials from Siaya virtually and shared information. Prokop says a visit gives them a chance to see things first-hand.

Relationship mutually beneficial, says Taber mayor

Prokop says that while a lot of the rural areas are poor and need assistance, Taber has a lot to gain by making connections in Kenya, east Africa's largest economy.

"We're looking to help each other where we can in all areas, and collaborating [in] many ways as much as we can," he said.

In a news release, the Town of Taber said it can benefit from fresh perspectives and potential new markets for its agricultural products.

Prokop also notes the country could be a labour source for trades like carpentry that are in high demand in Alberta.