The Ministry of Agriculture has released Sh.138 million to settle debts owed to cane farmers in Kakamega County.
Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said that he has already received the funds from the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture (CS), Peter Munya and that the farmers would receive their monies in the course of this week.
He was speaking at the multipurpose hall in Masinde Muliro University during a Covid-19 disease sensitization meeting for elders from Kakamega County on Monday.
Other leaders present, included the Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Eugene Wamalwa, Governors Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga) and Bungoma’s Wycliffe Wangamati.
The governor said his administration in support of the national government has identified a number of flagship projects that would promote socio-economic development in the region.
They include revival of the sugar, coffee, BT Cotton and dairy sectors, the construction of check dams and dykes along River Nzoia to control flooding.
Other projects are the construction and completion of ongoing roads projects, rehabilitation of infrastructure destroyed by floods and upgrading of the Kakamega Air strip to an International Airport.
“Plans are also in place to construct a granite plant in Vihiga and establish a gold smelting industry in Kakamega, the implementation of the greater Mt. Elgon-Busia Water Project, the construction of Kakamega-Bungoma bulk water dam and the commencement of Kabolet phase II water project,” he said.
Meanwhile, the elders and area leaders unanimously agreed that governor Oparanya, CS Eugene Wamalwa and the COTU Secretary, Francis Atwoli would be the spokespersons of the region.
By Sammy Mwibanda/Remigius Maloba
