Simba Arati differs with Governor Ongwae over Kisii sugar factory plan

Dagoretti North MP Simba Arati is opposed to plans to set up a multi-billion-shilling sugar factory in South Mugirango constituency.

A foreign private investor plans to spend Sh5 billion to build a renewable energy and sugar factory with a capacity to crush 5,000 tonnes of sugarcane daily and produce ethanol as well as 10 megawatts of power to the national grid.

The project reportedly has the backing of Governor James Ongwae, Senator Sam Ongeri and South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro, who said the project would be established due to public demand.

“The county government prioritises projects on a needs basis and that is why it is pushing for the construction of the sugar factory. The project has the support of key stakeholders,” said Mr Ongwae’s communication director, Maseme Machuka.

The county government is expected to provide land for the factory.

Reports indicate that Ongwae has already sought the intervention of the Senate Lands committee to have a section of Nyangweta Forest excised for the factory.

But speaking to The Standard in Kisii town, Mr Arati said the proposed factory was a misplaced priority.

He argued that the region did not need another sugar factory at the moment and that the county government should consider setting up banana or avocado processing plants instead.

“We should be very careful not to support a project that will turn into a white elephant for the people of Kisii. I am not sure that the factory will have enough supply of sugarcane for crushing,” said Arati.