GOVERNOR OPARANYA SHIFTS FOCUS TO INDUSTRIALIZATION TO SPUR ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE COUNTY

Governor H.E Dr Wycliffe Oparanya has revealed plans to focus on industrialization to spur the economic growth of the County.

Speaking during the Stakeholders Validation for the 2021 County Fiscal Strategy Paper at Golf Hotel, he said industrialization will offer more employment opportunities to hundreds of people especially the youth.

“During this last period of my tenure, I want to shift focus to industrialization to create job opportunities for our people and also spur the economic growth of the County,” said Governor Oparanya.

He pointed out that the County will set up a textile industry in one of the polytechnics in the County.

Governor Oparanya noted that the textile industry will be used make uniforms for County staff alongside serving other clients.

He expressed confidence that by the end of this year, Mumias Sugar Company will have been revived.

He directed that construction of a tea processing factory in Shinyalu Sub County and milk factory in Malava Sub County should commence immediately.

“We want to complete construction of the dairy and tea factories and we are also thinking of establishing a textile industries in one of the County Polytechnics to make uniforms for our officers,” he said.

The Governor called upon the Department of Water to upscale their water projects to ensure all residents access clean piped water as promised in his manifesto.

“We need to have a major water project in all the sub counties to meet our target of ensuring each person has piped water in their homesteads,” said the Governor.

The Governor emphasised on the need to complete the ongoing development projects before start of new ones.

He directed County officers to ensure contractors awarded contracts do quality work adding that only those with capacity to do the works should be awarded contracts.

Deputy Governor H.E Prof Philip Kutima said Kakamega County had performed extremely well in development and commended staff for their support on Governor Oparanya’s administration’s success.

CECM in charge of Finance, Economic Planning and ICT Dr Beatrice Sabana said they will continue to support all departments’ efforts to ensure they implement all the projects in their budgets.

She called for prudence financial management by officers at all levels.

The two-day meeting organised by the Ministry Finance Economic Planning and ICT was attended by CECMs, County Secretary Madam Jacinta Aluoch, Chief Officers, Chairperson and CEO of Public Service Board among other senior County Officers.