𝐆𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫𝐢 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐩𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐄𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐜 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡.

Today, H.E. Governor FCPA Fernandes Barasa commissioned the Lugari Maize Milling Plant at Chekalini, delivering on a key promise made to maize farmers in Kakamega County, the establishment of a factory that would buy local produce, add value, and create jobs. The state-of-the-art plant, operated by Fuka Foods Limited, marks a major milestone in the County’s industrial journey and is the first large-scale maize processing plant of its kind in the region.

With a daily capacity to process 30 tonnes of maize, the facility is a strategic step in Governor Barasa’s Wealth Creation and Food Security agenda. It is designed not only to provide a stable market for local farmers but also to promote rural employment and agricultural transformation. Once fully operational, It is set to create over 1,000 jobs and will expand to include animal feed production and edible oil processing, further widening its impact on agribusiness and food systems in the region.

“This is more than a factory; it is a catalyst for economic transformation in Kakamega County,” Governor Barasa remarked. He thanked the investor, Fuka Foods Limited, for working closely with the County Government to ensure seamless execution of the project.

Governor Barasa emphasized that the Lugari Maize Milling Plant is just one among several strategic industrial ventures aimed at unlocking economic opportunities across Kakamega County. These include the Malava Milk Plant, Madala Tea Factory, Matawa Regen Organic Fertilizer Factory, Butere Poultry Hatchery, the Kenya Gold Refinery in Ikolomani, the Lutonyi Fish Factory, and the Kakamega County Aggregation and Industrial Park in Likuyani. Altogether, these projects are expected to generate thousands of direct jobs.

“Fuka Maize Flour will soon be on shelves near you,” the Governor announced, signaling the plant’s entry into the commercial food market.

He was joined by his Deputy, Hon. Ayub Savula, Lugari MP Hon. Nabii Nabwera, Likuyani MP Hon. Innocent Mugabe, MCAs led by County Speaker Rt. Hon. James Namatsi, County Executives led by County Secretary Dr. Lawrence Omuhaka, partners, and other stakeholders.