Beer maker EABL has broken ground on its planned Sh15 billion brewery in Kisumu, signalling good tidings for thousands of farmers who will be contracted to supply raw materials.The brewer, whose ground-breaking was officiated yesterday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, is projected to handle up to a quarter of the output by Kenya Breweries.“The plant should be up and running in 18 months. We are hoping that the farmers around here will become more aggressive and bring in sorghum and millet we need,” said the Kenya Breweries Managing Director Jane Karuku adding that the county is ideal for the plant because it has adequate water.The launch of the factory involves installation of brewing equipment and refurbishment of other facilities. It will initially produce Senator Keg popular with low-end consumers.And with the company marketing keg as a safer alternative to illicit brews around the country, Ms Karuku said she expected the firm to expand further by benefiting from the market around the region.President Kenyatta said at the launch that the project signals the rising confidence among investors thanks to improved business environment.“We promised to revive all factories. That is what we are doing. And we will continue to create an environment to see that all collapsed industries are open again,” he said.“It is also an opportunity for us to exploit regional markets across the borders in Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania. In future, we plan to expand so we can meet the rising demand in these markets.”

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