KAKAMEGA PLANT TO RECEIVE FIRST BATCH OF FERTILIZER PRODUCTION EQUIPMENT
A delegation from the County Government of Kakamega on Tuesday visited the earmarked site for construction of Matawa Organic Fertilizer Plant in Mumias West Sub-County where they deliberated with the Regen Organics Production Manager, Mr. Geoffrey Kalo, on the current progress and challenges ahead of delivery of the first batch of fertilizer production equipment on Thursday, this week.
The team that included CECMs’ Mrs Peninah Mukabane (Water, Environment, Natural resources and Climate change), Mr Godfrey Owori (Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, Cooperatives and Irrigation) and Mrs Rachel Atamba (Trade, Industrialization and Tourism) assured Kakamega residents that the process of operationalizing the multi-million factory is still on course and urged the local community to support the project. Mrs Mukabane in particular mentioned that the County in partnership with Practical Action will work with youths groups to sensitize residents on the need to segregate waste at source before it is transported to the factory for processing. The factory uses sanitation and organic waste to produce organic fertilizer, animal feeds and biomass briquettes.
The project will be implemented in three phases; Phase l and ll encompasses fertilizer production while Phase lll will see introduction of the briquettes and the black soldier fly which breaks down the organic material into nitrogen-rich manure.
Kakamega County Investment Development Agency (KCIDA) CEO Ms Elizabeth Asichi on her part disclosed that waste collection will commence from municipal markets in June 2024 and added that the factory will also be receiving organic waste even from the neighbouring counties. She assured the investor that any challenge aimed at delaying the process will be dealt with forthwith, sentiments that were echoed by the Chief Officer for Risk Management and Service Delivery Unit Dr Phitalis Masakhwe.
Mr Kalo from Regen Organics informed the Executives that they have already set up water storage facilities, a site house and expressed optimism that the Government will expedite installation of a transformer at the site.
Also present were Chief Officers Eng. Joseck Maloba (Technical Services), Mr Emmanuel Kariuki (Crops and Irrigation), County Ombudsman Mr Nelson Majimbo and Director Stephen Musee among others.