The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced a Sh1 billion allocation to the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) to purchase locally produced rice before the government permits imports.
Kindiki said the initiative is intended to shield farmers from falling market prices while helping the country build adequate food reserves by buying rice produced in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, and other rice-growing regions.
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He said the government would first ensure locally produced rice is purchased before any imported rice is allowed into the Kenyan market.
“We will not import rice until we offload all the rice grown in Mwea, in Kirinyaga County, and all the rice-growing areas,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President spoke on Friday while inspecting development projects in Mwea Constituency, where he said the Sh1 billion would enable KNTC to purchase locally produced cereals once harvesting starts later this year.
He added that the government was committed to policies designed to increase farmers’ earnings across various agricultural sectors, including coffee, dairy and tea.
During his visit, Kindiki inspected the ongoing construction of the Kangirici-Karira Hospital-Ngurubani Road, which is approaching completion.
The road is part of a 65-kilometre transport corridor connecting Kirinyaga Central, Ndia and Mwea constituencies.
According to Kindiki, Kirinyaga County has been allocated Sh37 billion for the construction of approximately 500 kilometres of roads, with projects currently at different stages.
He also officially opened the Mwea Huduma Centre, which will offer residents access to a range of government services.
The facility will additionally house a Jitume ICT Hub, providing young people with digital skills and helping them access opportunities within the digital economy.
Kindiki said the government would ensure ongoing development projects in Mwea and across Kirinyaga are completed while new projects are initiated.
Among the other projects underway is the Sh500 million County Aggregation and Industrial Park, which is being jointly funded by the national and county governments.
The Deputy President further announced an additional Sh300 million to support the expansion of electricity connections to households and other facilities in Mwea Constituency.
Plans to upgrade the Makutano-Mwea-Embu-Chuka-Meru-Maua highway are also expected to improve connectivity and transportation within the region.
On politics, Kindiki said the government would rely on its development record when responding to opposition criticism rather than engaging in personal attacks.
He challenged opposition leaders to explain their own records in government and highlight what they achieved while holding public office.
Mwea MP Mary Maingi welcomed the government’s investment in infrastructure, saying residents had waited for years for the Kangirici-Karira Hospital-Ngurubani Road and Karira Bridge to be constructed.
She said previous administrations had made promises to build the infrastructure without delivering, but the projects were now under construction.
