A Jubilee legislator has castigated governors from central region counties for “dragging in implementing projects which are of long lasting benefits to locals.”
The Gatundu South MP, Moses Kuria has noted that in some counties within the region there is nothing tangible governors can say they have done for their people.
Speaking during a fund raising event in Murang’a, the lawmaker observed that some projects initiated in the counties were yet to be completed and if no efforts were made to complete them, they may turn to be white elephants.
While comparing with other counties outside central region, Kuria said the region is lagging behind in terms of establishing beneficial projects to local residents.
“Our counties are receiving funds like in counties in other parts of the country but on the ground, nothing much is being done,” observed the MP.
Though agriculture is the main economic activity in the region, there are no processing plants implemented to do value addition for farm produce.
“Currently, our coffee is not doing well. Farmers are exploited and are earning meagre returns. Why can’t governors initiate factories to process our coffee and sell the processed products so as to end exploitation in the sector?” posed Kuria.
He lauded the decision by the government to have chiefs and assistant chiefs’ uniforms made by a textile industry started by Kitui county government saying the move would support the county and especially provide employment for hundreds of young people.
“We also need manufacturing plants in our counties as our young people are jobless and are struggling to earn an income,” he pointed out.
Kuria wondered what legacy some of governors from central region would leave once they completed their terms. He encouraged them to do something which sticks out as their legacy.
In Murang’a County, the county government is working to complete construction of a milk processing plant with the aim of supporting and increasing earnings among local dairy farmers.
The plant is expected to process about 240, 000 litres of milk in a day but leaders were complaining the construction has been slow.
Speaking elsewhere, Murang’a Senator, Irungu Kang’ata lauded the county government for the initiative but challenged the devolved administration to hasten operationalization of the milk processing plant for the benefit of local farmers.
“It has taken long in implementing this project but currently, it seems the plant will start operating within a short time. We are eagerly waiting as our farmers want to get better earning from their milk,” said Kang’ata.
By Bernard Munyao
