Mataara Tea Factory in Gatundu North Constituency is to construct its own hydro power generation this week.
According to the company Director Mukora Wa Kimani, the deal has come to a completion and the machinery to be used in the establishment of the project are already on site.
Speaking to the press on Sunday after attending a church service in Miugu Catholic church, Kimani revealed that Chinese company in partnership with KTDA has signed a deal to start the construction.
Kimani said that the project has been facilitated by tea farmers and Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA).
“The project is expected to use roughly Sh50 million which will come from area tea farmers and some donations from KTDA,’ said Kimani.
Kimani said that the project will create an estimated 100 jobs of different kinds and also develop the area adding that farmers are also expected to benefit from lowered cost of production by the factory which is further said to increase tea prices.
Despite the creation of employment, we expect to get better prices for our products after reduction of factory producing cost and again some of us will benefit from cheap electricity that will emanate from that project.
“We are fully for the project and our great gratitude would go to our directors for initiating the idea,” said Peter Maina, a tea farmer.
What farmers are expecting is to see the project steered for their benefit to curb complain that have been there since tea price lowered after low markets abroad.