THE Kilifi government yesterday urged the state to buy and revive the county’s cashew nut factory that was auctioned in the 1990s.
Kilifi county secretary Owen Baya said the factory can only be returned to farmers if the national government orders a compulsory acquisition.
Speaking in his office, Baya said the state played a role in the sale of the factory.
He said the county has been engaging the national government through the Coast Development Authority seeking its acquisition of the factory.
Efforts have been unsuccessful, Baya said.
“The factory was bought by a private investor and the county has tried to talk to them but they are not willing to sell it,” he said.
Baya said the state in its budget set aside funds to revive industries in several parts of the country, but overlooked the Coast.
He said Self Help Africa, an NGO, has started a cashew nut revival project in Kilifi.
The organisation will provide early maturing seedlings to distribute to farmers and also prune the old orchards, Baya said.
