Residents of Namwela location in Bungoma West District have urged the government to construct a tomato plant in the region to provide jobs opportunities to the locals.

Led by Mrs. Jones Barasa, an area resident and farmer, they said that the region is famous for growing tomatoes on large scale and that they are earning dismally due to brokers who provide low prices.

“It’s prudent that the government should provide funds to necessitate the construction of a tomato plant so that we as farmers can benefit maximally from our agriculture endeavors,” Mrs. Barasa urged. 

Mrs. Barasa reiterated that the availability of a tomato plant in the region will provide an avenue for value addition and employment opportunities to the locals.

Concerning poor state of roads in the region, the locals appealed to the government to allocate funds for the roads to be repaired to easy transportation.

The locals blamed the political leaders for playing blame games while pointing out that majority of the roads are impassable especially during the rains.

 “The MP will say the road is supposed to be repaired by the area Councilor, but when you go to the Councilor, the answer will be; that is the work of the MP, “Mrs. Barasa claimed.

They said the region neighboring Mt. Elgon has great potential in agriculture and that poor roads are a threat to famous as a good percentage of their produce is damaged before reaching the intended market.

On the part of the youth, they said the issue of unemployment is a big challenge even though majority of them have qualified in different disciplines.

Simon Masinde, a youth in the area blamed political leaders in the area for using them for their own selfish political gain as opposed to assisting the youth come out of their predicaments.

“Politicians are using us as ladders to assent to power and their after damp us into oblivion for another five years, I think the political leaders are insensitive because I believe the youth agenda should go beyond elections,” Masinde challenged.

People with disability in the region did blame mushrooming of people with Disability Organizations while claiming that the officials of the organizations are out to fraud donors and the government in pretence of championing the rights of people with disability.

“We understand that people with disability elsewhere are getting funding from the government, people are coming to us to register with them for funding but we are yet to receive any assistance,” Thaddeus Masimbo said.

 He said that donors and the government should engage the disabled persons directly to avert chances of such organizations fraudulently benefiting from what rightly belongs to them.