Beer produced by KBL. KBL plant construction in Kisumu is progressing well. [Photo/citizentv.co.ke]
Construction of the Sh15 billion Kisumu Brewery plant whose ground-breaking was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta in August this year is progressing well.
Speaking during a status update of the project in Kisumu on Thursday, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) Managing Director Jane Kariuku said the new plant will provide an expanded market opportunity mainly for sorghum farmers in Nyanza.
She said the plant will be heavily be relying on sorghum among other raw materials sourced from locals.
During current development phase, Kisumu County has enjoyed construction material and labour force supply benefits as part of the company’s local sourcing commitment.
“We have made a lot of progress at the new brewery site since July and we are delighted at the progress. We look forward to completing the construction works on schedule,” said Ms. Karuku.
The brewery plant is the largest project in Nyanza region and Kenya in decades, and is set to be a catalyst for the lakeside city’s economic growth upon completion.
Kisumu County Governor Professor Peter Anyang Nyong’o has hailed the project, and reaffirmed the county’s support for it.
“The County of Kisumu supports this project and we look forward to enjoying its economic impact and the ripple effect of the brewery plant to the various sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction and transport,” said the governor.
The plant will initially produce Senator Keg made using locally-sourced sorghum and KBL targets to recruit over 15,000 sorghum farmers, with guaranteed market for the crop.
More jobs will be created when the brewery construction is completed and operations begin.
The plant is projected to be completed by quarter one of 2019. The plant will offer approximately 100,000 direct and indirect job opportunities to Kisumu locals.