Government commits to solving Nzoia Sugar woes

sugarcane being transported for processing

 President William Ruto has assured the residents of Western Kenya that his administration is committed to solving the problems facing the Nzoia Sugar Factory.

Speaking at Chwele Stadium in Bungoma County, on Friday, President Ruto said his government has made a decision to ensure the revival of the sugar industry in the Western region.

“Just give me some time, we are reforming the Nzoia Sugar factory,” said President Ruto.

The country’s leader said he has ordered farmers and workers to be paid their rights.

“I have also instructed sugarcane farmers to benefit from a bonus at the end of the year, the same as their coffee counterparts among others,” said President Ruto.

He asked the residents of the region to come forward in their agricultural activities to include coffee farming, noting that the region is good for the growth of commercial crops.

At the same time, President Ruto said the government has prioritized the construction and expansion of dams to strengthen agricultural activities in the country.

President Ruto said the construction of dams will strengthen food production and deal with the drought that affects the country’s economy from time to time.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Kapkara Dam in the Sirisia Constituency, Dr Ruto said the construction of dams is still important in providing water for domestic and irrigation use.

“Dams have great potential to change the lives of Kenyans through irrigation,” said President Ruto.

He said the government is banking on the competition of dams across the country to provide a long-term solution to food security by reducing dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

“We have allocated 300 million shillings for connecting the pipes from the dam to all houses in Sirisia and Bungoma in general,” said President Ruto.

Furthermore, the Head of State urged Kenyans to re-register for the universal health program starting July 1, this year.

The President said the new registration will ensure that no Kenyan will be left out of the benefits that will be provided under the public health service system re-positioned on the Universal health care pillar.

“We want to ensure that Kenyans seeking health services are registered and able to access medical services,” said President Ruto.

He pointed out that those who have been paying 500 shillings from July will pay 300 shillings and added that the government will pay those who cannot afford it.

“But we will help only those who will be registered to benefit from universal healthcare from July, this year,” he said.

This means that Kenyans who are already enrolled in the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) will be re-enrolled to benefit under the new universal healthcare scheme.

The President said Bungoma will benefit from Sh27 billion that he recently signed to connect electricity across the country.

He said MPs through the State Development Fund (CDF) will build Communication and Information Technology centers in each ward as one of the efforts to create more job opportunities.

“It is our responsibility to ensure that young people do meaningful activities to generate income,” he said.

He said 8 markets are already being built in Bungoma to stimulate economic development

At the same time, President Ruto urged parents in Bungoma to ensure their children are in school, saying education remains equal regardless of family background.

At the Chwele business center where he stopped to receive greetings from the people, President Ruto said he had ordered sugar farmers to be paid their rights to give them an incentive to produce more.

President Ruto also addressed the people in the Mayanja market, during the inauguration of the paving of the Mayanja-Sirisia-Mukhweya-Musese and Mukhweya-Kimkung roads in the Kabuchai constituency.

He urged Kenyans to work together, saying the era of tribal politics was buried during the last General Election.

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula urged the residents of Sirisia to live together in peace with their colleagues in the Lwakhakha area.

He called on those who have grabbed the land intended for the expansion of dams in Bungoma to surrender or else strict action will be taken.

Governor Ken Lusaka and several members of parliament were present.

By

 Christine Muchira