Webuye leaders have called on the government to hasten the revival of the Panpaper factory in Webuye or let Kenyans, especially Bungoma county residents know the state of its rival as it was discussed on last year.
Maraka ward Member of County Assembly Ali Majani Mutoka has said that the revival of the factory would give a lifeline to thousands of Webuye residents arguing that the flow of the money in Webuye town has gone down badly leading to insecurity that has become the order of the day.
The MCA expressed concerns that there was massive vandalism and destruction of property belonging to the government in the factory deteriorating its price if it has to be sold.
“The government is incurring massive losses running into billions of shillings as people take advantage of the situation to vandalize and steal equipments,” Mr. Majani said.
He further urged that the factory needs to be revived immediately to end destruction and theft of property since a lot of money has already been lost through theft of vital spares parts.
Last year Bungoma Deputy Governor Hillary Chongwony and County Commissioner Maalim Mohammed hosted the committee members who inspected the factory to judge its state at the time, they included Webuye MP Alfred Sambu.
Mr. Sambu said leaders from the region supported the plans to revive the factory and asked the government to speed up the process.
During a tour of Bungoma County last year, Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed said that negotiations with two private investors to take over the running of the factory were at an advanced stage.
However the MCA hinted that he will oppose those politicians who would want to use Panpaper issue to gain political mile especially if it will remain in the same state in 2017 election.
Previous efforts to revive its operations failed and billions of shillings were lost in the process.