The Kakamega County Government is set to kick off the construction of a new tea factory in the Madala area of Shinyalu constituency, with an investment of Ksh 1 billion.
Deputy Governor Ayub Savula made the announcement during a public participation forum at Shabwali Friends Church, organized by the county government in collaboration with the Trade and Industrialization Committee of the Kakamega County Assembly, led by Hon. Benard Omboko.
Savula emphasized that the initiative aligns with Governor Fernandes Barasa’s manifesto focused on wealth creation and job opportunities within the county. To meet the factory’s land requirements, the county plans to acquire an additional eight acres, bringing the total to 13 acres.
He urged the community to foster political goodwill for the project’s success, stating, “We should shun political witch hunts over this Ksh 1 billion project.” Once operational, the factory is expected to create over 3,000 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs for local residents, prioritizing employment for the community as part of the Governor’s wealth creation agenda.
The public engagement session received positive feedback, with many expressing enthusiasm about the factory’s potential to alleviate poverty in the area. The Madala Tea Factory had previously stalled due to investor challenges under the previous administration, but Governor Barasa has committed to continuing and completing all projects initiated by his predecessor.
Savula noted that the public participation exercise adheres to the Kakamega County Public Participation Act of 2015, promoting good governance through citizen engagement. The County Executive Member for Trade and Industrialization, Ms. Rachel Atamba, revealed that interested bidders for the factory’s operation have already been invited.
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Residents can look forward to the factory’s official launch, scheduled for December 2024. Additionally, Savula informed the community that the county has allocated funds in the FY 2024/2025 budget to complete Shamakhubu Level IV in Shinyalu Sub-County.
By Calistus Imbayi
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