By Dennis Bett
The National Assembly Trade, Industrialization and Cooperatives Committee will push for allocation of more money to industries.
The MPs said support should be accorded to the manufacturing sector and more so cooperative societies including ailing Sacco’s for the country to attain industrialization.
The team led by Vice chairperson Oundo Wilberforce Ojiambo spoke during a tour of the Rift Valley Textile Company (RIVATEX) in Eldoret town.
They stressed that supporting industries was the sure way for Kenya attaining industrialization status, which is part of the big four agenda listed by the president.
Nyando MP Jared Odoyo said the revival of Rivatex was enough testimony that with good investment and support Kenya can grow its industries to boost its economy.
“A lot of money has been put into various industries and manufacturing under the Big Four Agenda that has created job opportunities for Kenyans,” said Odoyo.
He added that the country needs about a million acres of cotton for Rivatex to get sufficient raw materials locally, hence the need for support from all stakeholders.
“It is time we worked on seeing the results for billions of shillings that have been pumped into this facility,” added the Nyando MP.
Rivatex Managing Director Prof. Thomas Kipkurgat said already 80,000 farmers have started planting cotton.
“We are putting more effort to have farmers plant more cotton. Soon we will give them BT Cotton which will double the yield beginning next season as we have guaranteed market here at the factory,” said the MD.
According to Prof. Kipkurgat, the Moi University-owned textile industry has 16,800 spindles that translate to 12 tons of yarn per day which can produce 70,000 meters of finished products daily.
Other members included Robert Githinji (Gichimu MP) and Andrew Mwadime (Mwatate).
