A fish processing plant has been commissioned in Kakamega County. Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS), Eugene Wamalwa officiated the ceremony and urged residence to embrace diversification into unexploited enterprises, including aquaculture for better returns.
The Lutonyi farm was developed by National Government at a cost of Sh 60millon with an additional 20million gone towards construction of a fish feed warehouse. Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the plant has a capacity to process 30 metric tonnes of fish per day and it would provide a ready market for farmers in the 14-member Lake Region Economic Block (LREB).
The Governor stated that his Administration has already constructed a perimeter wall around the factory and tarmacked the road from Kakamega-Webuye highway at Bukhungu stadium to provide easy access to the plant.
Viable economic frontier
“We appreciate the DAS Group Kenya Limited for investing over Sh40 million to upgrade the facility to meet all the requirements that qualified it to export fish to the much-coveted European Union (EU) market,” said Governor Oparanya.
The County boasts of 6,976 fish farmers with 9,988 fish ponds and has a potential to produce a total of 1,798 metric tonnes of fish in a seven-month production cycle. CS Eugene Wamalwa said Kakamega County has great potential in aquaculture which is yet to be fully exploited for the benefit of the residents.
In addition, the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya, Caroline Vicini, assured the farmers of a ready export market in the European Union (EU). She said aquaculture would provide a viable economic frontier for the residents who mainly rely on sugarcane and maize for commercial and subsistence purposes.
