Mung’aro: I’ll build coconut factory if elected Kilifi governor

Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro says he will build a multi-billion-shilling coconut processing factory in Kaloleni if elected governor in August.

Speaking at Mwijo, Viragoni, Kinarani and Mtsengo villages in Kayafungo and Mwanamwinga wards, Mr Mung’aro said that the region, despite having many palm trees, is poor.

Mr Mung’aro, who is vying on a Jubilee ticket, seeks to unseat Governor Amason Kingi.

He was accompanied by running mate Kenneth Kamto, who is the current deputy governor.

At Mwijo Village which is known for its many palm, trees, Mr Mung’aro said had the current county administration looked at the issue of the coconut factory with seriousness, then lives of the locals could have changed.

“The agriculture sector is devolved and almost all its resources taken to the county government. With many coconut trees in this region, the county failed to utilise the opportunity to set up a factory in Kaloleni to process the coconut tree and its by-products to boost your lives,” he said.

SH5BN FACTORY

He promised to use at least Sh5 billion towards the establishment of the factory he said would provide direct employment to more than 300 locals and benefit more than 5,000 people indirectly.

“In my manifesto, I have given much attention to farming and improve the livelihoods of the locals. I want to make sure that the coconut tree becomes more beneficial to the locals unlike now when the tree looks more of a curse than a blessing to the community in Kaloleni,” he said.

The upper part of Kaloleni that stretches to as far as Chilulu, Chanagande, Challani have many coconut trees estimated to be millions of them.

POOR POLICIES

But due to poor sensitisation and lack of proper policies on the benefits of the crop, the locals have only managed to benefit from a few by-products, mainly the coconut fruits, and palm wine.

At Virgaoni, Mr Mung’aro told the residents to elect him the next governor because of his fifteen years’ experience in politics he said had taught him so many things on development.

“My development record speaks for itself since I first served as a Malindi mayor, five years again as the Malindi MP and another five years as the Kilifi North MP.

“Those who were in Malindi know what I was able to do. It is the same zeal I am coming with as the (next) Kilifi governor. Please elect me so that the development track record can resonate in the entire county,” he said.

Mr Kamto said he differed with his boss, Governor Amason Kingi, after he questioned a number of corrupt activities that were going on under his watch.