Kisumu Cotton Mills (Kicomi) failed to revive due to lack of viability as there was lack of land for the production of biotechnology cotton which could have led to lack of raw materials should the company been resurrected.
The Post Covid-19 Economic Recovery Strategies has stated that KICOMI revival is one of the program’s targets in fiber production and textile manufacturing and apparel manufacturing value chains.
Modernization of RIVATEX machinery through completing a modernization of spinning and weaving areas, construction of effluent treatment plant for zero discharge, perimeter wall and firefighting management systems ▪ Cotton Extension Subsidy through the provision of farm inputs to farmers, extension services and coordination of the revival of ginneries.
The cabinet Secretary, National Treasury and Planning Ukur Yattani, in the report stated that the implementation of this projects will be at both the county level and the community levels.
“Its implementation framework will utilize the institutional framework for coordination and implementation of government programs and projects at the national and county level. It will also prioritize close co-ordination and active participation with private sector, development partners, non-governmental actors and communities.” Stated the CS Ukur Yattani.
The ERS has allocated a budget of ksh.1.3 billion to support the manufacturing sector. In a statement last year by the Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said that The government will by 2020 revive Nanyuki-based Mount Kenya Textiles (Mountex) and Kisumu Cotton Mills (Kicomi) for Sh1 billion.
In 2005, Credit Bank appointed Vipul Shah and Kamal Shah as the receiver managers after it went under and later collapsed to a point where its building and machinery were vandalized.
This led to the collapse of the cotton industry in the country as second-hand clothing flooded the market and won acceptance while ready-made clothes performance dipped more than 80 per cent.This eventually denied the mills business, confining them to disuse and vandalism.
The revival will be an opportunity for investors to launch small ginneries, hence achieving the goal of wealth creation as espoused in the Vision 2030 development goals.
