- Despite the launches, the plant is yet to operate to full capacity due to a lack of electricity connection.
- The plant has been using up to 165 litres of fuel per day with a litre of diesel retailing at Sh170 in Migori.
Image: MANUEL ODENY
Migori fishermen want President William Ruto to ensure the Sh140 million fish processing plant in the county is made more efficient to boost their trade.
Ahead of the polls, the plant built by the national government had been launched five times. The latest launch was done by outgoing Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture Peter Munya on August 5.
Despite the launches, the plant is yet to operate to full capacity due to a lack of electricity connection.
The plant has been using up to 165 litres of fuel per day with a litre of diesel retailing at Sh170 in Migori.
“It is now a white elephant, we began running it using a generator but we stopped due to high fuel prices. We urge the government to connect electricity at the plant to save us from high operational costs,” Justus Sabare, the Secretary of Sori Beach Management Unit said.
The plant was built in Sori town, a focal point for fishermen from Migori ,Homa Bay counties and some from neighbouring Tanzania.
“The plant was to help fishermen add value to their produce, cut off middlemen and ensure prices are stabilised, however, it is now haunting many as alot of money goes to waste,” Sabare said.
Alfred Akungo, a fisherman said they had high hopes for the plant to enable them to store fish for days for maximum profit but that is now not possible.
“Right now we are back to selling fish immediately to middlemen, each time I pass the plant I feel pained. For a long time, we have begged the government to help us but in vain,” he said.
“We have decided to wait and see if the new CS for Agriculture will ensure it operates to full capacity unlike under the previous regime,” Akungo said.
Fishermen said they gave Kenya Power the allotment letter on the site where the plant sits, as it is owned by the government and the contractor signed all relevant documents but power is yet to come.
But speaking to the Star over the phone, Samson Kidera the Nyanza and Western region director for Fisheries and Blue Economy downplayed the delays saying the plant will be connected with electricity soon.
“We have done our part and it is Kenya Power which is in the process of connecting power to the plant, we have assurance the process will be expedited,” he said.
He said apart from the power issues, they are putting in place a committee that will run the plant effectively to ensure it is self-sufficient.
“On Thursday the team had a meeting with fishermen to ensure the community owns and runs the project effectively,” he said.
He said the ministry plans to install solar panels and put in place means of running the generator to ensure productivity is maintained despite power outages.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)