Oparanya allays fears over 'stalled' milk plant project

Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya. [Duncan Ocholla/Standard]

Governor Wycliffe Oparanya has dismissed claims his administration has abandoned plans to establish a milk processing plant in Malava sub-county.

Oparanya said all projects initiated by the county government, including the multi-million milk plant, will be completed as planned.

The project failed to take off even after it was allocated Sh50 million in the 2018/2019 financial year.

“We shall deliver on our pledge to put up the milk plant, it is one of the key development projects,” Oparanya told Malava residents.

The county government proposed budget for 2019/2019 fiscal year is Sh14.8 billion out of which Sh598,716,311  will go to agriculture, a reduction from Sh701, 433, 152 in current fiscal year.

Major projects under the agriculture docket include Smart Dairy Units which has been allocated Sh75 million and poultry farming promotion set to receive Sh10 million. At least Sh5 million has been set aside for grants to co-operative movement.

Farm station

Oparanya’s administration is keen on setting up a smart dairy farm station in each of the 12 sub-counties at a cost of Sh20 million, last year.

The sub-counties are Malava, Lugari, Likuyani, Navakholo, Shinyalu, Lurambi, Ikolomani, Mumias West, Mumias East and Butere.

So far, the county government has managed to establish two such stations at Bukura in Khwisero and Matungu sub-counties.

The facilities have each a capacity to accommodate 25 pedigree dairy cows.

Senator Cleophas Malala had questioned the county government’s commitment to undertake the milk processing plant project at Tumbeni in Kakamega North.

The county government has already advertised tenders for the project it says will begin anytime now on the eight – acre land.

Oparanya said the project was delayed but remain on-course. “We made a promise and we shall strive to fulfill it,” said the governor.