The inaugural Nyanza International Investment Conference (NIIC), held from February 6–8, 2025, in Kisumu, emerged as a watershed moment for Kenya’s western region, casting a spotlight on Nyanza’s untapped potential while confronting its complex challenges head-on. Against the backdrop of Lake Victoria’s shimmering waters, over 700 delegates—including Deputy President Kindiki, six county governors, global investors, and development experts—converged under the bold theme “Nyanza Rising: Towards Economic Transformation for Socio-Economic Growth and Development.” The three-day forum blended urgent pragmatism with visionary ambition, mapping a path to transform a region long haunted…