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Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa and US Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman on Wednesday launched an organic fertilizer manufacturing plant in Matawa, Kakamega County.
The project exemplifies how governments and private sectors can work together to drive sustainable economic growth.
Barasa referred to the project as a game changer that will ensure farmers get subsidised fertiliser.
“The fertiliser manufactured at the plant will be available to the farmers in this region at a subsidised rate,” he said.
The county boss added that the project will create job opportunities in the region.
Whitman on her side said her country is keen to ensure there is economic stability in the region by rolling out such programmes.
“Currently, Kakamega County faces a huge challenge in the management of waste and this cuts across the 14 counties which form the lake region,” Barasa said.
Barasa said with rapid urbanisation, the generation of waste is increasing at an alarming rate.
“Kakamega and Mumias towns alone generate 2400 tonnes of waste a day yet we have a capacity of mopping out just 1200 tonnes of solid waste per day,” he said.
He said the company targets to collect waste from the entire lake region economic block which holds a population of over 14 million people.
The governor told the people to look forward to a future of enhanced food security in the region. BY THE STAR