Locals decry poor running of maize plant

Members of Gwassi South ward community in Suba South constituency have petitioned Homa Bay county government to suspend operations at newly built maize plant in the area until a proper management body is formed to run the factory.

Residents around Kigoto Maize Milling plant have expressed displeasure with the manner in which the factory is run, while calling for the constitution of a management team to oversee the process.   In a memorandum written to the governor after their meeting held at Kigoto trading centre yesterday, they want the administrative changes made on how the factory is run, to ensure the community benefits economically and contracted workers are protected.

The milling plant was opened by Azimio leader Raila Odinga on November 4 and produces sifted maize flour.

The plant was a flagship project initiated by former governor Cyprian Awiti in 2014 but stalled for nine years before the new administration took over and completed it.

Charles Owaga who lives 400 meters from the factory, claimed that local residents are unhappy with the state of affairs in the new factory and have in past occasions planned a strike to storm it only to cool down after negotiations. “We have discovered that there are a lot of problems at the factory that should be addressed,” Owaga said.