GOVERNOR OPARANYA INVITES INVESTORS TO SET UP INDUSTRIES IN KAKAMEGA COUNTY
As the wind of Industrialization blows towards Kakamega County, H.E Governor Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya is extending an invitation to investors to establish their projects and activities in the County. In return, the Governor is promising Government support and a conducive environment favourable for their businesses.
Additionally, the Governor has announced that the County has received Shs 500 million from a development partner to equip Kakamega County Dairy Firm located at Tumbeni in Malava Sub-County.
He was speaking on Tuesday during a stakeholders forum comprising of County Executives and members of the County Budget and Economic Forum (CBEF) convened to review important Kakamega County Government documents; the Annual Development Plan (ADP), Finance Act and the County Budget Review Outlook Paper (CBROP).
“We have to stimulate Public-Private partnership to be able to operationalize the industries we are setting up to ensure they remain functional even beyond our terms in office,” the Governor advised.
The Government has prioritized completion of a Dairy plant in Malava, a Tea factory in Shinyalu, a Maize milling plant in Lugari and an Industrial park in Mumias. Kakamega Fish Processing firm construction is complete, awaiting official commissioning.
The CBEF provides a platform for the leadership of the County Government to engage and consult other actors in the community on preparation of various essential Government documents such as the County Annual Development Plan and the County Budget Review Outlook paper as well as other financial management aspects at the County level. It is chaired by the Governor and consists of representatives from the Business community, Faith Based Organizations, the Youth, among other sectors
The County boss who was flanked by his Deputy H.E Prof. Philip Museve Kutima also revealed that construction of Kakamega County Tea Factory at Amadala in Shinyalu Sub-County will commence soon. Global Tea, a UK based company which focuses on Tea auction, he said, has already applied for a licence that will see it install equipment at the factory.
“USAID has also agreed to support the County with Sh500 million that will go towards equipping the Malava Dairy plant; these are the kind of partnerships we need to foster to realise the dream of industrializing Kakamega County,” he added.
The Governor also directed the executives to allocate more funds to Cooperative societies through the relevant Departments saying small business owners and farmers stand to benefit immensely from such arrangements.
“The Cooperatives must be supervised and audited frequently to prevent malpractices; In addition, robust extension support programmes have to be instituted to supplement operations of these associations,” he said.
The meeting that was convened by the Ministry of Finance, Planning and ICT under the stewardship of the CECM, Dr. Beatrice Sabana was also attended by the Chairperson of the County Public Service Board Madam Catherine Omweno, CEC Members, County Secretary and Head of Public Service Madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo, her deputy Mr. Joshua Kutekha, County Attorney Moses Sande, Chief Officers, Advisors, Members of the County Budget Economic Forum (CBEF) led by the Secretary Rev. William Ouya, Directors, CEOs of various County Agencies among other senior Government officers.