COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND COMMODITIES FUND OFFICIALS, PONDER CANE FARMERS’ PLIGHT.
The County Government of Kakamega led by H.E. Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya Monday held a crucial meeting with a delegation from the Commodities Fund led by
the chairman of the board of trustees Hon. Mwancha Okioma at the County headquarters, Kakamega.
The Commodities Fund is mandated to provide sustainable and affordable credit and advances to the agricultural sector.
Some of the key outcomes of the meeting were;
γTo come up with an agreement to cooperate in financing sugarcane farmers in the wider Mumias region to the tune of between Kshs. 300-500 million
γThe County to contract Commodities Fund to manage the Sugarcane Fund budgeted for in the 2020/21 financial year
γCommodities Fund to send resident staff to Kakamega to manage the funds allocated
γThe County Government of Kakamega to organise a launch of the Fund based on COVID-19 regulations.
γThe Governor and the Fund chairman to intervene on behalf of former Mumias Outgrowers Company (MOCO) to waive their debt amounting to Ksh. 200M to enable the outgrowers be back on their feet
γThe signing of MOU to be done in the next two weeks
These resolutions will go a long way in boosting cane development in the Western region.
Deputy Governor and CECM for Agriculture, Irrigation, Cooperatives, Livestock & Fisheries development Prof. Phillip Museve Kutima, CECM Trade , Industrialisation and Tourism Mr. Kassim Were Ali his Finance and Planning counterpart, Mr. Geoffrey Omulayi were present. Also in attendance were County Secretary and Head of Public Service madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo, Chief Officer Finance Amb. James Ochami and the Chief Officer Agriculture Mr. Jeremiah Namunyu.
Madam Nancy Cheruiyot, the Fund’s Managing Trustee and Valentine Gari a credit officer were also present.