State revives key sugar factories in economic boost for Nyanza
Robert Ojwang’-KNA
The Government has partnered with private investors to revive and restore operations of Sony, Muhoroni, Chemelil, Miwani and Nzoia sugar factories that have been the backbone of regions economic activities.
“We aim to make sure farmers to receive better, timely and regular payments for their mature cane and also receive bonuses annually just like coffee, pyrethrum and tea farmers,” Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki has said.
“We aim to make sure farmers receive better, timely and regular payments for their mature cane and also receive bonuses annually just like coffee, pyrethrum and tea farmers,” Prof Kindiki asserted.
The Deputy President confirmed government’s commitment to economically transform the Nyanza region through investments in critical sectors such, agriculture, transport, fishing, energy and education.
Prof Kindiki noted that under the broad-based government, the lakeside region has witnessed mega development programmes intended to transform the livelihoods of area residents.
He made the remarks during an economic empowerment programme for women, youth, and people with disabilities and the launch of the Shield Okumba SACCO in Muhoroni Sub-County, Kisumu County.
The Deputy President announced 17 Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets are currently under construction across Kisumu County to provide small-scale traders a dignified environment to earn a livelihood.
The state has prioritised the construction of fish landing sites and equipping them with modern facilities across the lakeside counties in an effort to revitalise the fisherfolk economy, boost fish production, encourage value addition and ensure sustainability of the sector.
“The president is building fish landing sites along Lake Victoria from Homa Bay, Migori, Kisumu, Siaya, and Busia Counties. They will be equipped with cold storage facilities to prevent fish from rotting,” Prof Kindiki noted, adding that the government will provide grants to the fisherfolk through the Beach Management Units to boost fish production.
He also stated that the government is committed to expedite the completion of the stalled road projects in the region highlighting the 52 kilometer Mamboleo – Miwani - Muhoroni road whose construction has resumed in earnest to facilitate effective movement of people and goods.
At the same time, the DP stated that the government has elaborate plans of increasing the number of citizens with active health insurance.
Presently, he noted, only 25 million Kenyans are enrolled into the Social Health Authority insurance (SHA)
“So far, almost 50 per cent of Kenyans have health cover. We aim to attain 100 per cent health insurance coverage in the next two years,” he stated.
The DP lauded Kisumu County with a population of 1.2 million people for registering 600,000 people into SHA so far.
To empower the youth economically, Prof Kindiki said the President has ordered the return of the Kazi Mtaani programme across all counties to employ jobless youth in environmental clean-up projects.
Kisumu, he observed, has benefited from the affordable housing programme with 2,348 units at Lumumba Estate.
“The affordable housing programme will be expanded to other satellite towns including Muhoroni, and also build student hostels for Jaramogi Oginga Odinga KMTC, Kisumu National Polytechnic and Muhoroni Technical Institute, among many other institutions of higher learning.