Government committed to the revival of Pan Paper factory says Raila

Written by Rosemary Wachiye

Prime Minister addressing mourners at the home of the late Deputy Mayor, Mr.Timothy Karandini Wekesa who was shot by unknown people at his home in Webuye accompaning him are the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Transport Minister Najib Balala, Roads minister Frankline Bett, Minister For Regional Development Fred Gumo, the assistant Minister of Metropolitan Mrs.Elizabeth Ongoro and Assisant Minister Office of the prime minister Mr. Alfred Khangati the Webuye legislator Alfred Sambu, and Shinyalu Mp Mr. Justus Kizito.  The government is set to announce the revival of the Webuye Pan Paper factory next month, Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said.. Raila assured the Webuye residents who are former workers of Pan Paper factory that it will be re-started and the government was to give its feedback on the same by 2nd Sept this year. "I know the factory was a livelihood source for most of you and I give you my word that as a cabinet we will ensure that your source of revenue is brought back," said Raila. The Premier is further noted to have said that the government had released Sh1 billion for the revival of Pan Paper in Webuye but a few issues including the change of name, technology and the supply of wood was still holding back operations. This he had disclosed during the official opening of the Butali Sugar Company early January after the Sabatia legislator Musalia Mudavadi, had implored the PM to disclose to the Western Kenya residents, what happened to the Pan Paper Mills in Webuye shortly after the factory was opened in the run up to the referendum. 2010 July 28, President Kibaki reopened the paper mill after two and a half years of closure. The plant, however, grounded to a halt after two weeks when three of the mills closed down, sending more than 400 employees who had just been recalled, back home. Prime Minister Raila Odinga also challenged the security officers in Western Kenya to be more vigilant in carrying out their duties to combat the escalating incidents of crime in the region. Speaking at the home of the late Deputy Mayor, Mr.Timothy Karandini Wekesa who was shot by unknown people at his home, Raila said, “It’s a pity for such a young leader to die so soon through the hands of unknown criminals, “assuring that it does not matter where the perpetrators originated from but he will ensure justice prevails. The Prime minister was in the company of his wife Ida Odinga, the Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Transport Minister Najib Balala, Roads minister Frankline Bett, Minister For Regional Development Fred Gumo, the assistant Minister of Metropolitan Mrs.Elizabeth Ongoro and Assisant Minister Office of the prime minister Mr. Alfred Khangati the Webuye legislator Alfred Sambu, and Shinyalu Mp Mr. Justus Kizito.