By Mercy Imali
President Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday commissioned the revamped Rivatex textile factory in Eldoret town with a promise of at least 3,000 direct jobs. The President was confident that the new Rivatex will boost his administration’s efforts to create more jobs for the youth
He said the revival of Rivatex rekindles hopes and revives dreams of many Kenyans by ushering in a new dawn for cotton farmers.
The revamping cost KSh 5 billion and is expected to change the fortunes of thousands of cotton farmers in over 24 counties across the country.
Uhuru said, “The estimated 3,000 direct jobs that this project will generate and the tens of thousands of indirect jobs created in support and ancillary activities will go a long way in boosting not just this region but also our national quest for value addition and increase in manufacturing and jobs under the Big Four Agenda.”
He directed ministries of agriculture, industry, environment, health and education to fast-track the commercialization of genetically modified BT cotton, to ensure uninterrupted supply of cotton.
Uhuru stated that BT cotton has proven potential for better yields compared to conventional varieties adding that the government will continue to improve policy conditions even as it delivers direct interventions that make inputs, operations and support activities cheaper.
The President announced that the government will continue supporting local manufacturers by buying from them. He challenged public sector employees to make it a habit of wearing locally made clothing to work at least once a week, on Fridays.