The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, and the Governor of Lamu County, Issa Timamy, on Wednesday, March 6, unveiled the construction plans for a cashew processing plant in Lamu.
The cashew processing plant is expected to benefit up to 7000 farmers in the next five years and create 200 jobs for the local community.
The project is supported through the UK Sustainable Urban Economic Development program and construction of the factory will begin later in the year.
According to the joint press release, the factory will process 142 Metric Tonnes of raw cashews in the first year, increasing to 3,500MT within 5 years.
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“We have set in motion the construction of a cashew nut processing factory, the first of its kind in Lamu County funded by the UK which will bring more jobs and prosperity. My visit has shown the great potential of this region and its people, and I look forward to strengthening the partnership with the county further," Wigan told the press.
On the other hand, Lamu Governor Timamy noted that the processing factory aligned with the vision the County has in promoting value chain investment.
"This will not only create jobs but also improve the returns our farmers get in their hard work at the farms ultimately improving our economy as a county," remarked the Governor.