President Uhuru Kenyatta concluded his tour of Kisii County pledging to support efforts by the County Government to revamp the coffee sector.
Speaking in Kisii Town during the tour, Governor James Ongwae told the president that an estimated Sh 650million was needed to revive the coffee sector. The Governor indicated that the 22 cooperative societies in the County were burdened with loans amounting to Sh 250million and they were unable to purchase new pulping machinery.
He sought the National Government’s intervention to clear the loans and rehabilitate pulping stations as well as build a new store to curb theft. The president promised to look into the issue with a view to helping Gusii coffee farmers.
“Your Excellency, coffee has been a major cash crop contributing the Kisii County economy throughout the years. Indeed, Kisii used to compete with central Kenya in matters coffee but due to heavy loans and dilapidated infrastructure, the sector is nearing collapse. We need your help to clear the loans,” said Ongwae.
The Governor also asked the National Government to facilitate the establishment of a Sugar factory in the County by availing a title deed and approvals from the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).
“We have got an investor willing to establish a Sh 5billion sugar complex in South Mugirango. The challenge we have is securing land for this project and clearance from Nema,” noted Governor Ongwae.
President Kenyatta pledged to support the project saying it was in the interest of Kisii County residents to have the factory established.
“As National Government, we will support investment in the Country. We are fortunate that the investor has chosen to bring the sugar factory to Kisii because he could have taken it to another country. When the sugar factory is built, it is not for the benefit of the investor but the people of Kisii County who will get new jobs and market for their produce,” said President Kenyatta.
When ready, the sugar complex will have capacity to crush 5000 metric tonnes of sugarcane and produce 172,000 tonnes of sugar, ethanol, organic fertilizer and 10 megawatts of power.
At Kenyenya in Bomachoge Borabu, the President launched the upgrading of the Mogonga-Kenyenya-Riokindo-Nyabitunwa roads to bitumen standards.
At Metembe in Kitutu Chache North, the President launched the upgrade of Metembe-Owalo-Rioma-Marani-Ng’enyi-Bobaracho-Ragogo-Kionyangi-Bumburia-Kegogi-Nyakoora-Rioma-Gesieka-Nyaore-Marani roads to bitumen standards.
