Kisumu county government and East Africa Breweries Limited have formed a joint committee to cater for community interests in the ongoing revival of the Kisumu beer bottling plant.
The Liaison and Delivery committee, whose formation was announced by Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, will handle community engagement, issues management, information dissemination on employment and project updates.
Those named to the committee are Nerry Achar, Alice Moraa, John Okise, Kennedy Ajwang and Obunga Awich.
"We are happy with EABL’s approach and the progress of the project. We appreciate the fact that problems will arise from time to time and we must always seek to solve the problems together," Nyong'o said on Friday.
"I look forward to reaping the fruits from the progress currently being made."
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EABL managing director Jane Karuku welcomed the formation of the committee and said the brewer is looking forward to becoming an integral part of Kisumu’s economic well-being.
"We heartily welcome the formation of the committee, which has already started work and thank Governor Nyong’o for leading the way to ensure we progress together."
"We have made a lot of progress at the new brewery site since July and we are delighted at the progress. We look forward to completing the construction works on schedule," Karuku said.
Construction plans for the Sh15 billion brewery, whose ground-breaking was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta in August, is on schedule with production set to commence next year.
Karuku said the new plant will provide an expanded market opportunity mainly for sorghum farmers in Nyanza. The plant, she said, will be heavily reliant on sorghum among other raw materials sourced from locals.
"During the current development phase, Kisumu county has benefited from the sourcing of construction material and labour force as part of the company’s local sourcing commitments."
The committee is setting up an office that will serve as an information centre and will cater for all project enquiries including employment information.
The brewery plant is viewed as the single largest such project in Nyanza region and Kenya in decades. EABL says it is set to be an engine of economic development and catalyst for the lakeside city and the neighboring counties upon completion.
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