World Bank awards Sh5m grant for coffee factory

By DANIEL PSIRMOI

Nairobi,Kenya:Funds are being channelled through a community development programme

The World Bank has awarded a Sh5 million grant for the construction of a new coffee factory in Mt Elgon.

The grant for the construction of Kitaban Coffee Factory in Kapsokwony Division has been channelled through Western Kenya Community Driven Development and Flood Mitigation Program (WKCDD-FMPG) under the Ministry of Special Programmes.

Addressing coffee farmers on Friday during an Annual General Meeting at Kapsokisio Farmers’ Co-operative Society, Mt Elgon WKCDD-FMPG coordinator, Rogers Ngeywa said the allocation is part of the Sh8 million budgeted for the completion of the new branch that is to be affiliated to Kapsokisio Coffee Factory with the contractor set to commence work anytime soon.

NEW FACTORY

Ngeywa further disclosed plans by the World Bank, which are at an advanced stage, to construct another coffee factory in Kaptama Division within the same district, noting that the proposal for the construction had already been approved for funding.

Factory Chairman Barnabas Kayos applauded the move saying it would help ease pressure on the factory that he noted currently operates beyond capacity as it serves the entire district.

Kapsokisio Factory delivered 322,867 kilogrammes of grade one beans to millers, highly prized by roasters for use in blending other varieties and received over Sh8 million even as members decried poor returns this season.

The Director of Eldoret-based CMS Millers, Boniface Wekesa moved to pacify the farmer’s price worries by blaming fluctuation among other external factors such as bad weather and uncertainties that surrounded the just concluded general election.

Auction produce

He said many direct buyers withdrew from the market forcing local millers to auction the produce in international markets where it was subjected to fierce competition.

Farmers present at the meeting appealed to the Government to assist the factory install modern machines to help in processing beans with high quality rating to trade favourably in the world market.

On his part, area District Co-operatives Officer Willys Opemi urged famers to scale up the production so as to exploit the additional capacity that is to come with the new facilities.