A section of Kitui County residents strongly opposed Senator Enoch Kiio Wambua’s call for the closure of the Kitui County Textile Company (KICOTEC). The residents, who gathered outside the KICOTEC factory in Syongila, expressed their frustration and disbelief over the Senator’s stance, labeling it as an attack on a critical source of employment and economic empowerment for the county’s youth and women. Their outrage comes in light of Senator Kiio’s recent statements at the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, where he questioned the legitimacy of KICOTEC and called for its shutdown.
The residents pointed out that KICOTEC is not just an industry but a lifeline for many households in Kitui County. They also questioned the rationale behind the senator’s push for the closure of other industries established during former Governor Charity Ngilu’s tenure under the Kitui County Corporates Act 2019. These industries include the Manyenyoni Cabros and Bricks Making Industry, the Kitui Pharma Company, the Kitui Foods Industry, and the Honey Packaging and Local Brew Processing Industry. The residents lamented that shutting down these initiatives would exacerbate unemployment, especially among the youth.
Kenan Makau, a former employee of KICOTEC, criticized both the senator and the current governor, accusing them of prioritizing political interests over the welfare of Kitui residents. “We elected them to serve us, not to destroy our livelihoods,” Makau lamented, emphasizing the devastating impact the closure would have on the already struggling population. He warned against allowing political schemes to dismantle valuable government initiatives that benefit the county’s residents.
Local businesswoman Mwikali Nguma highlighted the adverse ripple effects the factory’s closure would have on Syongila Market. She explained that KICOTEC employees rely heavily on local businesses for daily provisions and accommodation, and its closure would lead to significant economic downturns in the area. “If KICOTEC is shut down, businesses here will collapse, families will go hungry, and unemployment will skyrocket,” she said.
Youth activist Ali Musili Kilonzo also weighed in, accusing Senator Kiio of engaging in political vendettas rather than focusing on his oversight role. He criticized the senator for remaining silent about pressing issues, such as the county’s ailing healthcare system, while targeting an initiative that provides employment to hundreds. “How can you claim KICOTEC has no value while turning a blind eye to the deteriorating state of our hospitals? Where is the oversight you championed during Ngilu’s tenure?” Ali questioned.
The residents further refuted Senator Kiio’s claim that the land on which KICOTEC stands is not public property, asserting that it was donated by the community through public participation. They called for political leaders to stop undermining development projects and instead focus on building a better future for Kitui County. Their passionate defense of KICOTEC underscores the deep connection between the factory and the livelihoods of the people it serves, making its closure a highly contentious issue.
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