President William Ruto while attending an inter-denominational thanksgiving service held at Uwanja Ndege in Kanduyi Constituency and on his second day of the official visit to Western Kenya, says that he is pleased that the country is having a mature conversation on developing economy rather than political power-sharing agenda. The President has urged the citizens that only such a development agenda will transform the country.
Further, President Ruto emphasized that the only way to kick out hunger is to increase productivity by empowering Farmers.
”We are giving 10 billion shillings to the Agricultural Finance Corporation with an office here in Bungoma, to give Farmers credit to purchase fertilizer.” President Ruto said.
The President urged milk producers in Bungoma to get back to massive production as the country finds a way to stop importing milk from other countries and sets a new price for milk in the country. He said that the country imports at least 10 billion liters of milk while such production can be done within.
Bungoma residents will have to enjoy an airport service at Matulo and the current ‘Uwanja Ndege’ at Bungoma town will be surrendered for town expansion. The County government of Bungoma through Governor Ken Lusaka will have to provide an additional 30 hectares of land to the existing 70 hectares at Matulo Airstrip to seal the deal with the President.
Moreover, the Head of State revealed that the 5 public sugar mills in the country have accumulated a debt of 117 billion shillings with Nzoia Sugar Company having the highest debt of 53 billion shillings. According to Dr. Ruto, the massive debt has made the effort of reviving the mills futile.
The mercy of reviving the 5 sugar mills in the country now depends on the National Assembly and the Cabinet Secretaries who are to decide whether the debts should be written off.
According to the President, the Government will invest in new equipment in the older factories, but the government will not participate in the running of the factories on the upcoming new formula.
In conclusion, he urged the opposition leaders to discharge their mandate fully as the Government has no problem with them.
President Ruto is expected to complete his official visit in Bungoma on Monday after launching a County Aggregation and Industrial Park at Sang’alo (Kanduyi), visit Nzoia Sugar Company in Kanduyi, Nabing’eng’e Technical Training Institute in Tongaren, Chepkurkur Technical Training Institute and Kapsokwony in Mt. Elgon.
