Kakamega to restart Madala Tea Factory construction with Sh700m

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula. [Standard, File]

Kakamega County Government will restart the construction of the Madala Tea Factory in Shinyalu Sub County, allocating Sh700 million for the project.

Deputy Governor Ayub Savula announced the funding during the Small Micro-Enterprises expo at Bukhungu Stadium.

Governor Fernandes Barasa will launch the construction in the second week of December, providing support to local tea farmers who have awaited the factory's completion since its initiation in 2016 by former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya.

“The governor is expected to launch the construction, which will benefit local farmers,” Savula said.

The project faced delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the election period.

The county government has distributed tea seedlings to increase the number of farmers growing tea to support the factory once operational.

Kenya Tea Development Agency board member Abungana Khasiani noted the need to boost annual tea leaf production from 3 million to at least 5 million kilos to sustain factory operations.

Governor Barasa previously distributed over 400,000 tea seedlings to local farmers.

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The county cultivates 626.5 hectares of tea, producing 4,322.85 tons annually.

Last year, Barasa appointed Savula to lead efforts to revive the factory, which had become an eyesore in the area.

He also constituted a project implementation committee to review the project and submit a detailed report on the revival of the Sh300 million factory.

The committee is expected to table the report in six months to pave the way for construction. In the last financial year, the project received Sh100 million.

The tea factory was among former Governor Wycliffe Oparanya's flagship projects, initiated in 2017.

Despite two relaunches, no meaningful development occurred at the site, save for fencing the land. Overgrown grass now covers the compound.

Residents have previously demonstrated to urge the county government to address the factory, which promised job opportunities for them.