This archive report was first published on 24 July 2021.
Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to visit Western Kenya next month, where he will unveil a Sh200 million grant and a gold refinery in Kakamega County.
The visit, which comes two months after the President toured neighboring Nyanza, has been eagerly anticipated by residents in Western Kenya.
According to sources, the President's tour will feature at least 15 mega projects, including the revival of Mumias Sugar Company, which collapsed in 2020, killing the region's economy and leading to job losses.
Other projects on the agenda include the construction of a gold refinery in Kakamega, which will be handed over to a private investor who will pump in Sh100 million, and the commissioning of a Sh50 million granite factory in Emuhaya, Vihiga County.
The President is also expected to award a grant of Sh200 million to fund the distribution of water from the Sh1.7 billion Vihiga Cluster Water Project to homes for domestic use, benefiting at least 350,000 residents.
Additionally, the President will unveil plans to upgrade Kakamega Level Five Hospital to a level six facility, making it the fifth referral facility in the country.
The visit was first hinted by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, who asked the region to start preparing to receive the President.
The meeting between the President and the governors was held at State House Mombasa and was attended by Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia) and Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma).
