Murang’a unveils Avocado packhouse

The Mountain Journal

editor@themountainjournal.co.ke

Murang’a  County Government has unveiled a multi million shillings avocado packhouse, designed to add value to the internationally demanded fruit from Kenya.

Governor Irungu Kang’ata  said the unveiled a packhouse  will assist in providing the farmers with better prices, owing to the value addition.

 The facility is located at Ng'araria  following a pact between the county government and World Bank.

“ Establishment of the  Sh 20 million facility is a milestone  to Murang’a avocado  farmers, with the price expected to rise based on quality of the produce,” said Kang’ata. 

In the pact, National Agricultural and Rural Inclusive Growth Project  for Kenya (NARIGP), the World Bank contributed 80 percent of the cost.

 “In the project, the county government contributed 20 percent of the cost,” said Kang’ata.

Earlier, the residents at Kibuu village, told  Kang’ata that there were rogue avocado processors dumping waste in human settlements near Kwa Muite farm,  exposing them  to foul smell and mosquito breeding grounds..

 They aired their tribulations when Kang’ata accompanied by MCAs Kibe wa Sarry, and  Simon Wamwea when he opened a road in the village after years of being landlocked citing dumping of hazardous waste from their factories in Kenol and Weitethie.

“The Governor, we have severally  lodged complaints concerning  the illegal dumping of the waste from the avocado processing factories and waste from toilets in Kwa Muite farm and no action has been taken,” said a resident Peter Kamau.

Kang’ata ordered the Kandara Sub County office to immediately notify those dumping the waste in the locality that action will be taken.

He said the waste from the factories  should be transported to the Mitimburi Sanitary Landfill.

“ It is a criminal act  to dump the waste in undesignated places, while the operators should dispose of their waste at  the landfill,” said the government