President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to launch construction of the Kakamega county gold refinery on Monday next week.
Petroleum and Mining CS John Munyes on Monday said in Kakamega that the President will arrive in Kakamega on Sunday evening ready for his tour of Western. Munyes and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya inspected the site on Monday evening.
The gold refinery will be the first in the country. It is part of Uhuru's manufacturing agenda pillar under the Big 4 agenda and will firm up the President's legacy.
Munyes said gold from all parts of the country will be refined at the factory before it is exported.
He said the decision to construct the factory in Kakamega was informed by the fact that the county has a high potential of gold deposits that stretch to Vihiga, Siaya and Migori under the Lihranda corridor.
"We are here to inspect the site of construction ahead of the presidential visit. He is expected to launch the construction of a state-of-the-art refinery that will serve the whole country.
"We want all gold from different parts of our country to be processed and refined here in Kakamega before it is exported," Munyes said.
He said at least 30 per cent of the revenue to be generated from the factory will go directly to residents and the county government.
Munyes said the refinery will also serve many artisanal miners who rely on gold mining as their source of income and protect them from exploitation by middlemen.
Oparanya said the refinery will be a major boost and a milestone to the county as they will get a 20 percent share of the revenue generated besides providing jobs to hundreds of people directly and indirectly.
"We expect this project to be completed within one year. It has been a long journey but finally, we are almost through," he said.
Oparanya said the investor won the tender through a competitive process. The president is also expected to make a statement on the staggering revival of troubled Mumias Sugar Company.
The head of state is also expected to launch the construction of a granite factory in Vihiga county.
Oparanya said the leadership in Western is also expecting “a big announcement” from the President on the revival plans for Mumias.
"We expect him to make an announcement on the revival of the factory, which is the biggest sugar mill in the country. Our people are suffering and if revived they will heave a sigh of relief," he said.
