This archive report was first published on 20 July 2019.
On July 20, 2019, Raila Odinga announced that the government had finalized plans to revive KICOMI, one of the largest cotton ginneries in the country.
Speaking in Bondo at his Opoda farm, Mr. Odinga told Nyanza residents to expect more benefits and developments as a result of his truce with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Expect more development from the government as a result of this handshake. The handshake is good for our people, that is why plans to revive KICOMI are now complete,” said Raila.
He added that cotton was the main cash crop in the past but failed due to monopolies that controlled the market. The revival of factories like KICOMI will provide a market for their produce and create employment opportunities.
Dr. Oburu, who accompanied Raila, urged the government to use the concept employed to revive Rift Valley Textiles (Rivatex) to bring back KICOMI.
“This factory provided a reliable market for our cotton farmers, and we are requesting the government to see that KICOMI is back on its feet,” said Oburu.
