Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani have encouraged investors to put tent in Kwale, saying the county has conducive environment for investment.
Their call comes after the two toured Kentaste, a factory based at Ukunda in Msambweni Sub County that manufactures coconut products for export to the United States, Middle East and several African countries.
According to the Kentaste management, around 3,000 coconut farmers from Msambweni, Matuga and Lunga Lunga Sub Counties benefit from selling their nuts to the factory at good market prices.
The factory’s Chief Executive Officer Kyle Denning told Governor Mvurya and his Deputy Fatuma Achani that currently Kentaste has employed over 200 locals and intends to expand its daily production to 30,000 coconuts.
“Through the departments of agriculture and trade, we will sensitize our farmers on ways to increase coconut production as a way of expanding the supply to this factory,” the Governor stated.
On her side, the Deputy Governor assured Kentaste of continued support from the county government of Kwale by ensuring that more farmers are supplied will improved coconut seedlings as a way of boosting their yields in a short period of time possible.
Through the relevant departments, the Governor and his Deputy promised that the county government will also partner with Kentaste management in training Kwale coconut farmers on organic farming methods as well as empowering them in business related issues.
County Executive Committe Members Nassib Nyahi (Tourism & Enterprise Development), Joanne Nyamasyo (Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries), Sylvia Chidodo (Public Service & Administration) and Saumu Beja (Environment & Natural Resources), Chief of Staff Rodgers Chimega amongst other county government officers accompanied Governor Mvurya and Deputy Fatuma Achani at the Kentaste factory tour.
The tour was hosted by the factory’s CEO Kyle Denning, Human Resource Manager Monica Njoroge and Production Manager Perez Lavine.
Among the products manufactured by Kentaste are coconut oil, coconut milk and cream.