Africa-Press – Kenya. The United Kingdom has pledged to support Kirinyaga county to establish a tomato processing plant.
Through the Sustainable Urban Economic Development programme, the UK government will also establish a rice and coffee husk factory and a hydro-power generating plant.
British High Commissioner Jane Marriott was confident about the realisation of the projects and other development projects as envisioned by the county.
“We discussed three specific projects that we would like to work in partnership with the governor and her team to develop,” she said.
“One is a tomato processing plant, turning husks from rice and coffee into boards and furniture and producing hydropower.”
Speaking on Wednesday at the new Kerugoya Hospital, the British diplomat congratulated Waiguru for winning her second term and clinching victory as the first woman chairperson of the Council of Governors.
Describing her as a trailblazer, Marriott termed her double victory as a historic move that has helped stamp authority and put Kirinyaga on the map.
Waiguru thanked Marriott for the support saying the projects will go a long way in fostering growth and bolstering investment opportunities within the county.
The governor said the tomato processing plant will enable farmers to reduce the post-harvest loss occasioned by the produce perishability nature.
Waiguru regretted that despite Kirinyaga being the number one tomato producer in the country, over 30 per cent of the post-harvested produce goes to waste when there is a glut, transferring the loss to farmers.
She said Kirinyaga produces over 60,000 tons of tomatoes per year.
The county chief said the rice husk plant will boost the economic viability of the county through the production of furniture.
She said the proposed hydro-generating power project will help lower the cost of electricity whose price has been skyrocketing over time.
The governor said that the hydropower generating project will be one of the flagship projects that will help revolutionise county operations.
“Through the project, we will harness energy for domestic use and light our streets. The project will enable us to attract investors with ease because one of the hindrances investors face while setting up, is the high cost of electricity,” she said.
Waiguru also said the new Kirinyaga Hospital will be opened soon.
She said that the delay in its opening has been occasioned by an oxygen plant which is yet to be installed as its components are being delivered in parts.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
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