The Kakamega County Government is fast-tracking the completion of various projects aimed at improving livelihoods and creating job opportunities.
The development projects are spread across the county, with the devolved unit collaborating with the national government on some of them.
Governor Fernandes Barasa said the projects, ranging from agriculture, infrastructural development, health among others, are meant to ensure food security, promote wealth creation and put money in people’s pockets.
Speaking at the Mumias Cultural Centre, Governor Barasa noted that the Matawa Organic factory, located in Mumias West, is one of the projects set to be launched in August.
He also noted that the county government has partnered with the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) to establish a training institute in Mumias, which will support research and create jobs.
“I recently launched a maize milling plant in Lugari Sub-County, which will provide a market for our maize farmers and create employment for our youth,” he added.
Governor Barasa said, the county government is constructing an aggregation and Industrial park in collaboration with the national government in Likuyani.
“We have instructed the contractor to complete the County Aggregation and Industrial Park within the next six months,” he noted.
He also disclosed that the county government has set aside funds to establish a textile factory in Likuyani Sub-County.
The Governor noted that in the next six months, he will launch the Tumbeni Milk Factory in Malava Sub-County urging the contractor to expedite completion of the remaining works.
He also noted that the county government operationalized the Lutonyi Fish Factory in Lurambi Sub-County, which is now fully functional and supplies fish across the entire Western Region.
In Butere, he said, the county government commissioned the Butere Hatchery last year which has a capacity to hatch 10 000 chicks.
“We are working with the national government to construct a gold refinery factory in Ikolomani Sub-County which will create jobs for our youth,” he added.
The Governor also noted that the county government is constructing a tea factory in Shinyalu Sub-County in partnership with the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA).
“We are also working with the national government to expedite the construction of Bukhungu stadium, which will be ready in the next eight to nine months,” he pointed out.
In the health sector, the governor said that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) have already taken over the construction of the Kakamega Level 6 Hospital, which will be ready in six months’ time.
By Moses Wekesa
