The County Government of Uasin Gishu, through the Cooperative Enterprise Development Fund (CEDF), is exploring various strategies to fast-track the operationalization of the county’s only maize milling facility the Moisoy Union Milling Plant.

The union, formed by 61 primary cooperative societies in Kabenes, Ziwa Ward, seeks to undertake maize value addition. This initiative aims to guarantee member farmers better returns, end exploitation, and minimize post-harvest losses supported by the union’s already established storage infrastructure.

So far, CEDF has disbursed at least Ksh. 285 million to the union, bringing it closer to full operational status. Additionally, the union has remitted Ksh. 301 million to the contractor, African Grain Care Equipment (AGCE), for the acquisition of milling equipment and execution of civil works.

Speaking on Friday during a consultative meeting attended by CEDF committee members led by Philip Mamet, the union executive, and the contractor, Cooperatives Chief Officer Elphas Kesio emphasized that agro-processing must begin immediately upon the plant’s commissioning, as it is the union’s core mandate.

During the same meeting, the union’s chairperson, Moses Tenai, requested an additional Ksh. 110 million from the committee to complete the project.

In further support, SUED, a donor partner, has signed a funding agreement with the union, pledging an additional Ksh. 80 million to the initiative.

Apart from the Moisoy plant, Governor Jonathan Bii’s administration is also spearheading the development of a potato processing plant in Ainabkoi and Kesses sub-counties, and a milk aggregation plant in Simat to serve Kapseret and Turbo sub-counties.

The Moisoy maize milling plant is expected to start receiving maize later this year.