Nyando residents have been urged to invest in cotton farming in a bid to access the available market, following plans to set up a branch of Rift Valley Textile Factory (RIVATEX) in the region.
Nyando MP Jared Okello said the industry, one of its kind in the county will boost the economy and provide employment to the locals.
The Eldoret-based Rift Valley textile industry is geared towards setting its first factory at Boya in Nyando sub-county, Kisumu County.
“With the setting up of the industry, our people will be able to have ready market from cotton farming besides offering employment to our people,” he said.
The MP said the locals will reap big from the giant mill RIVATEX and asked them to embrace and own the project for its success.
He added that the industry will be built on a 2.5-acre public land plot at Jua Kali area along Kisumu Nairobi highway.
The legislator visited the site Wednesday during the groundbreaking ceremony in the company of RIVATEX Manager Richard Tanui and senior officials from the Ministry of Industrialization.
He said the company’s business entry into Nyanza Region is set to revive the growing of cotton in the Nyanza region and provide employment opportunities to over 3000 people.
“Unemployment has been a major concern for us. We are very happy that the company has accepted our proposals to set up the plant,” Tanui said.
The company has been dealing in tailoring and stitching of garments and has landed several government tenders for uniforms and they are looking into expanding their capacities.
Tanui also said they will send 3000 sewing machines and initial staff to the site before recruiting locals in the coming weeks.
For a long time Nyanza and Western regions have been the major cotton growers in the country at Sio Port, Nambale and Malakisi in Busia County; Ndere, Asembo and Rang’ala in Siaya; Kibos near Kisumu; and in Kendu Bay and Homa Bay.
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