Chinese firm to construct maize miller in Kenya

Chinese firm Sino-Kenya Engineering Company Limited started to construct a maize milling plant in western Kenya's Bungoma County, officials said on Saturday.

Bungoma's Governor Kenneth Lusaka said the 1.5 million U.S. dollar project will be a relief to the farmers who have been frustrated in maize farming venture dominated by poor prices and high cost of production.

Lusaka said the project will benefit big number of maize farmers in the area as well as others in the neighboring counties.

"This is a critical project; it will help spur development and help keep off middlemen who always exploit farmers by buying their maize at low prices and in later sell back to them at higher prices," Lusaka said.

The governor noted that equipments for the project will be shipped in from China by February and the miller will be ready before the next harvest period to ensure farmers benefit fully from its services.

Lusaka also disclosed that the investors will also help maintain local roads around the area as well as sponsor 20 students for their school fees as a form of giving back to the society to help improve their living standards.

The governor said the investors will also seek to set up an electricity generating source on river Nzoia, which will help supply electricity to Bungoma County residents. Endi