Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has revealed strategic interventions that the government has in place to support economic activities in the Western region ahead of this year's Madaraka Day celebrations to be held at Masinde Muliro Stadium, Bungoma.
This year's Madaraka Day celebration theme is, "Agriculture and Food Security."
Mwaura in a statement on Friday, said the government this year's theme aligns with the government's commitment to showcasing the Western region's economic potential which is majorly driven by agriculture.
He highlighted economic activities in the Western; sugarcane farming, maize, millet, sorghum, livestock keeping, fishing, rice farming, tea farming, quarrying and small-scale gold mining as being diverse and robust.
He said that the government has implemented several strategic interventions to support these economic activities.
"Efforts to revive the sugar industry include leasing public sugar mills, providing subsidised fertilisers and supporting legislative measures like the Sugar Bill of 2022," he said.
He said Agricultural projects such as the lower Nzoia irrigation project, with additional funding of over 3.2 billion and the establishment of industrial parks across the counties, aim to boost productivity and economic growth.
"Affordable housing projects in Kakamega and Vihiga, costing approximately 1.6 billion, are already providing employment opportunities and improving living conditions of residents," he added.
Additionally, Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi on Thursday presided over the pre-Madaraka Day exhibitions event at Kibabii University, Bungoma.
During the event, Linturi said that the agricultural sector stands as a cornerstone of the global economy, supporting diverse communities and millions of families worldwide.
Thursday's exhibition on improving market access and reduction of post-harvest losses was a curtain raiser for the fourth Madaraka Day celebrations.
