The Sh500 million Nasewa County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) project in Busia County has resumed after challenges that had halted its progress, with officials projecting completion within the next one month.
Speaking at the project site after an assessment meeting involving the county government, the contractor, and officials from the State Department for Industry, Busia County Commissioner Stephen Orinde said most of the structural works had been completed and only a small percentage remained.
“A lot of the structural work has already been done. There is visible progress, with a small percentage of work remaining. We have been assured that, in the shortest time possible, the project will be ready because the funds are now available,” Orinde said.
Orinde said the challenges affecting the project had been addressed and directed the contractor to fast-track the remaining works to ensure the facility is completed within the shortest time possible.
“We have had challenges in completion, but today’s visit was to address the existing challenges and ensure the project is completed to benefit our people. We have agreed that the contractor will fast-track the remaining works and have the project completed in even a month’s time,” he said.
Busia County Secretary Oscar Juma said variations arising from changes in the project’s cost components contributed to the delay in completion.
“The project has encountered variations that come with the price component. Within the usual budgeting cycle, we have been able to process these variations, and funds are now available. The first tranche, which the contractor has already certified, is ready and will be available soon, while the remaining amount will be provided through the supplementary budget,” Juma said.
He said about Sh104 million was required to complete the remaining works, with half of the amount already certified and awaiting payment.
“We are looking at a figure of around Sh104 million to get us to the tail end. Half of it is already certified and ready for payment, which will be done within a week,” he said.
Juma said the county government was also implementing measures to prepare for the operationalization of the industrial park once construction is completed.
He said the county was supporting the formation of cooperative industries to bring farmers together for aggregation and was providing agricultural inputs, including seeds, to ensure a steady supply of raw materials to the CAIP.
“As Busia County, we are ready for the operationalization of the project. We have been creating cooperative industries to bring together our farmers for aggregation purposes. We are also providing inputs, including seeds, to residents, and these serve as preparations for the provision of raw materials at the CAIP,” he said.
Once completed, the project is expected to support agro-processing, create employment opportunities, enhance value addition, and provide a platform for farmers and other stakeholders to access markets and grow agricultural enterprises.
The contractor has committed to complete the remaining works by October 15, 2026.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
