By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
Canadian-based Kenyan lawyer Miguna Miguna has agreed with Siaya Governor James Orengo that the county is capable of producing the world’s next billionaire.
Orengo said the billionaire would come from the agriculture industry, specifically through sunflower farming.
“The next world’s billionaire will definitely come from Siaya County’s agricultural industry. Sunflower farming will open up the new frontier in Siaya,” the governor said.
But in his response, Miguna Miguna said that dream can only become a reality if the county boss does two things.
The first is the county government of Siaya setting up an edible oil processing plant that can transform sunflowers into cooking oil and other by-products.
Secondly, Miguna Miguna said the governor needed to ensure no public fund under his watch is misused.
“Governor @orengo_james: That’s a positive statement, however, it will not happen unless you build an edible oil processing plant to transform the raw product into cooking oil and other byproducts,” the controversial lawyer said in part of a post on his verified X handle, formerly Twitter.
“Secondly, you must stop the ongoing plunder of public resources. Only then will Siaya produce GENUINE dollar billionaires and industrialists. Best of luck,” he added.
The Orengo-led administration recently launched an initiative that will see over 10,000 farmers benefit from 16.35 metric tons of Sunflower seeds during this Long Rains Season to enhance their productivity.
While flagging off the consignment at the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Depot in Bondo County Executive for Agriculture, Food Security, Livestock and Blue Economy K’Okoth Sylvestre said that the County is targeting to have over 6,000 acres under sunflower production which can result to an ambitious increase from the current 2.7 tons to over 16 metric tons annually.
“In addition to edible oil, sunflower provides high-quality feed for livestock from its by-product, provides nectar for bees and thereby supports Apiculture and also enhances soil conservation and protection,” said K’Okoth.
Currently, Siaya County has four oil extractors which farmers can be able to utilize and earn up to Ksh300,000 from edible oil per acre of the crop.
From an acre piece of land, this income can go up to Ksh500,000 from selling seed cake to animal feed millers.