Kenya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) presidential candidate Dr Eric Rutto received a shot in the arm after being endorsed by the four counties in South Nyanza.

Dr Rutto and his running mate Mustafa Ramadhan were unanimously backed by the KNCCI county chapters of Kisii, Nyamira, Homa Bay and Migori as his campaigns gain momentum.

The new endorsements come days after the ticket received the support of five other regions including Lower Eastern, Upper Eastern, Central Kenya, Upper Rift as well as Lower Rift.

Dr Rutto pledged to enhance ties between the national and county offices and push for investments on value addition production and boost trade exhibitions and joint ventures.

He also promised to push the mass export of bananas in Kisii and Nyamira Counties, revealing that South Korea had already expressed interest in the Kenyan banana crop.

“We have decided that we will in the first one hundred days share with the counties all existing MOUs to empower them to rip the low hanging benefits from these agreements,” said Dr Rutto.

He added, “We will also dedicate a fully functional desk that will serve the counties and work with them to empower them to deliver to the members needs as information remains the most important resource.”

He further promised to foster inter-county trade and work with the 47 county governments to reduce multiple taxation imposed on traders hence hindering flow of goods and services.

On his part, Ramadhani promised that if they are elected, they will champion for enhanced local and international trade while tapping into the lake region’s blue economy potential.