The European Union has issued Sh110 million grant to Makueni county to help in developing the agricultural value chain.
The funds will go towards reconstituting line that will produce end-user juices from the Makueni Fruit Processing Plant.
The county is the first to benefit from an agreement between the EU and Kenya, which finances economic projects in 15 countries under the Development Assistance and Development Assistance (IDEAS).
“Today we are pleased to have been the first county among 15 to receive Sh110 million from a fund of Sh3 billion from the IDEAS program through the for implementation of Local Development Projects,” Governor Kivutha Kibwana said.
Read;
The Kalamba fruit processing plant which was also applauded in the fifth devolution conference currently produces mango pulp.
"The mango processing project will boost farmers' incomes, increase employment and generate revenue for the district," Stefano Dejak EU Ambassador to Kenya said.
IDEAS is a bilateral agreement between the EU and the Government of Kenya to promote decentralization by strengthening decentralized government institutions and sustainable local economic development.
At the same time, the governor and his Kitui counterpart Charity Ngilu met CS Devolution Eugene Wamalwa seeking support for flood victims.
"Together with my colleague governor of Kitui we today met Devolution Cabinet Secretary Wamalwa to seek support for victims of floods caused by heavy rains in our counties. We need up to Sh 2 billion to be back on track as Makueni County," Kibwana added.