Governor Kiraitu Murungi recently launched a multimillion sweet potato processing plant in Maua and pledged that his government would put in more funds for its expansion to cushion farmers from losses. He said the country government will also facilitate setting up of a substation at a cost Sh600 million to alleviate power shortages in the town and ensure stable power supply to the plant. The Sh40 million project, supported by the European Union through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) and the county government, is owned by over 800 sweet potato farmers under the Friends Sacco. The ultra-modern manufacturing factory that has created job opportunities for the local people adds value to yellow fleshed that is processed to produce 11 products. The end products include bread, doughnuts, crisps, and queen cakes, among others that have been certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and are already in the market. Speaking at the launch of the processing factory on Thursday, the Governor said the plant would address issues of food insecurity and joblessness among the youth in the area as it seeks to fulfil the national government’s industrialization strategy. The factory has been in operation for two months now baking 700 loaves of bread daily, with farmers supplying 100 kilos of sweet potatoes each day. But due to its low capacity, farmers are left with a further 100 kilos of sweet potatoes without a market. Other value-added products that are manufactured and which are certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) include doughnuts, crisps, queen cakes and sweet potato flour. "This project is a testimony of how the national and county governments could enhance efforts to increase food security and improve the livelihoods of the people. The county will support its expansion and marketing of the various products being manufactured here," The Governor said. "We will also work with concerned government agencies and ensure that the power station is in place so that you can have proper electricity supply," he added. Friends Sacco chairman Mbae Imanene said there were immediate plans to invest Sh5 million to buy more processing equipment and increase baking capacity to about 900 loaves daily. "The project is viable because after only two months of operation we have made a profit of Sh700, 000 yet we are at the moment supplying our products in Maua town only," he said. Also present during the launch were county executive for Agriculture Prof. Karwitha Kiugu, her Trade and Cooperatives counterpart Maingi Mugambi and the County Secretary Rufus Miriti. Mr Mugambi asked the Sacco management to ensure that their books of accounts were audited on time and maintain good governance. "This is such an important project for the county and people of this region and we will not allow mismanagement and there should be transparency and accountability. Elections must also be held in accordance with the law because we don’t want to hear of leadership wrangles," he said. Governor Murungi said the project is a testimony of how cooperation between National and County Governments can enhance development.