Bungoma Senator Wafula Wakoli has raised concerns over a multi-million shilling milk processing plant in Webuye that has remained idle years after it was commissioned.
In a statement after an oversight visit, Wakoli said the Webuye Milk Processing Plant was commissioned around 2018/2019 under former Governor Wycliffe Wangamati but has never been operational.
Built at an estimated cost of between KSh 140 million and KSh 146 million, the facility was designed to process approximately 40,000 litres of milk daily and serve between 150,000 and 200,000 people.
“During my oversight visit to the Webuye Milk Processing Plant, I found a facility that has remained idle despite being commissioned around 2018/2019,” Wakoli said.
The Senator described the plant as a ghost project, saying it has failed to deliver value for money despite the huge public investment.
He called on the Bungoma County Government to explain why the facility has not been put to use.
“The Bungoma County Government must explain why this investment has not been put to use. This raises serious concerns about value for money and the waste of public resources,” he said.
Wakoli said the plant had the potential to create direct and indirect jobs and support dairy farmers in the county, but that opportunity has been lost.
“The plant had the potential to create jobs, both directly and indirectly, and to support local dairy farmers and communities,” he added.
The Senator now wants the county administration to provide a clear plan on operationalizing the facility to ensure taxpayers get value from the investment.
