By Team
Mokwa, the dream of two governors—the founding governor, Cyprian Awiti, and the incumbent, Gladys Wanga—tells the story of how devolution has failed to inspire development in Homa Bay County.
The colorful launch of Mokwa by the former prime minister, Raila Odinga, the father of devolution, remains one of the dark scars associated with the project.
The praises that Raila showered on Governor Wanga for the Kigoto Maize Mills during the launch have remained a nightmare and a folktale to be told to generations to come.
On November 4, 2022, Wanga posted on her social media platforms: “Awakening the first of the endless potential of our great County of Homa Bay. The machines are running and churning out snow-white fine flour, sifted and fortified. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the official launch of Mokwa maize flour, a quality product of Homa Bay, and the official opening of the Kigoto Maize Milling Plant being presided over by H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga.”
A Slap in the Face
The failure by the county government and Wanga’s administration to operationalize the plant to full capacity was a slap in the face of Raila, the father of devolution.
The plant became dogged by scandals and controversies, one after another, and for the last three years, the mill has been deserted.
Raila then commended Wanga and her administration for swiftly embarking on serving the people.
“We in Azimio advocate for our Republic’s 3rd liberation: the economic emancipation of our people via increased food security, job creation, agribusiness, value addition, and devolution.
I was delighted to open the Kigoto Maize Milling Plant in Homa Bay,” Raila said then.
After the launch, the plant was rocked by problems one after another, including being flagged by the Kenya Bureau of Standards over high aflatoxin levels, court battles with contractors, unpaid maize suppliers, and mechanical issues with the machinery.
Court Blocked the Leasing
One of the challenges was a move by a Homa Bay Magistrate’s Court to put a stop to the proposed leasing of the facility to a new investor.
The County Government of Homa Bay, through an advertisement in an open national tender, had called for expressions of interest for leasing, managing, and operating the Kigoto Maize Milling Plant.
The County Government of Homa Bay, through the Department of Trade, Industry, Tourism, Investments, Co-operative Development & Marketing, had invited eligible bidders for the following tender:
“TENDER NUMBER – HBC/TITICDM/EOI/001/2024-2025 FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) FOR LEASING, MANAGING AND OPERATING THE KIGOTO MAIZE MILLING PLANT should be deposited in the TENDER BOX situated at the entrance of the New Governor’s Office Block not later than October 30, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. EAT. Large documents that cannot fit in the tender box shall be registered at the Office of the Director, Procurement and Supplies Management, located in the basement of the Governor’s New Office Block,” the advert read in part.
In a case filed by Ndiri Feeds against the County Government of Homa Bay, Chief Magistrate C. A. S. Mutai certified the petition by Ndiri Feeds, through its lawyers, Maosa Advocates, as urgent.
“The application dated 28th October 2024 be and is hereby certified as urgent, and an order be and is hereby issued staying the proposed leasing, managing, and operating of the defendant/respondent’s plant herein as per the tender notice, which closes on 30th October 2024 at 11.00 a.m., pending the hearing and determination of this application,” read the order in part.
Chief Magistrate Mutai directed that the application be served for an inter partes hearing on 7th November 2024.
However, the court later ruled in favor of the county government, and the case was dismissed.
Flagged
The Kigoto Maize Milling Plant was temporarily closed by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) for failing to meet the required standards.
KEBS flagged the flour from the mill over quality concerns after samples tested on September 13, 2023, failed to meet the required standards.
A report from KEBS to the county government read in part: “These are major non-compliances affecting the performance of the product and the health and safety of consumers. You shall take corrective and correction measures immediately.”
The letter, signed by Mr. Bernard Sindani on behalf of the Regional Manager for KEBS Lake Region, ordered the immediate recall of the batch that had already been dispatched to the market.
After a second test, KEBS gave Mokwa flour and the facility a clean bill of health and allowed operations to continue.
Suppliers Not Paid
Several suppliers are still waiting to be paid as the machines wait to roar back to life. The facility is currently open, with people walking in and out, and no security personnel in place.
It is a sad dream by Awiti that died at delivery in the hands of Wanga—an endless story of pain and waiting.
