Migori Governor Okoth Obado paid tribute to the government's commitment to revive sugar industry, an initiative kick started by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in collaboration with President Uhuru Kenyatta.
On Monday, Mr Obado met Odinga for the first time in many months after the two openly differed in 2018 with the ODM governor openly rebelling against the party's senatorial by-election choice Ochillo Ayacko in October.
"The Sugar Taskforce committee, Hon Raila Odinga ,Leaders from the western region and other sugarcane stakeholders held a Sugar Taskforce meeting in Kisumu County.As a team ,we are tasked with formulating policies that will be able to revamp the sugar industry. I strongly believe we shall succeed and get a lasting solution to problems. Thank you and may God bless you all," Obado wrote.
Mr Odinga was the main guest at Grand Royal Swiss Hotel where he was accompanied by Agriculture minister Mwangi Kiunjuri who has recently been on spot for various scandals in his ministry.
On his part, Odinga called for cooperation between millers, farmers, counties and national government, adding that he's optimistic the sector will be revamped for the sake of farmers.
"The survival of this industry as a viable enterprise will require exemplary cooperation and understanding between all stakeholders including farmers, millers, the counties and the national government. These were part of my remarks at the Sugar Sector Reforms Conference in Kisumu," he noted.
Last year, Obado was arrested and detained for alleged murder of his girlfriend Sharon Otieno and the unborn baby and would later be released of bond. Justice Jessie Lessit banned him from travelling out of the country besides coming anywhere near 20KM between Homa Bay and Migori border.
Throughout his incarceration, Mr Obado blamed his woes on Raila Odinga even though the ODM leader remained tight-lipped throughout Obado's trial. He would later be arrested again for allegedly being in possession of a cache of weapons.
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