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The Kakamega County Government has launched an aggressive campaign geared towards enhancement of tea growing in the devolved unit.

The County has distributed thousands of tea seedlings to farmers in mainly Ikolomani, Shinyalu, Khwisero, Butere and Lurambi constituencies.

Each of the constituencies received 15,000 seedlings which have been distributed to farmers for free.

Governor Fernandes Barasa said yesterday that the drive was meant to support and introduce more farmers to tea farming with the main objective of having sufficient raw materials for the Madala Tea Factory that is being put up in Shinyalu Constituency.

“We are out to enhance tea farming in Kakamega so that we can have enough raw materials for the Madala Tea Factory. We hope that it will be completed in the next one year,” he added.

Speaking at Lirhanda and Musoli markets in Shinyalu and Ikolomani, respectively, where he distributed the seedlings, Barasa pointed out that they would ensure that the upcoming factory had adequate tea supplies from the county.

“Many of our tea farmers mainly in Shinyalu, Ikolomani and Khwisero suffer massive losses as they supply their cash crop to Mudete and Kipchabo tea factories located far away in Vihiga and Nandi counties, respectively. These factories dictate prices” the governor said.