President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, August 4 visited Eni Kenya to inspect the country’s first agri-hub.
The agri-hub located at Kwa Kathoka in Makueni County produces vegetable oil and related bio-products.
Moreover, it started production last month and has already employed close to 200 workers, a majority of which are young people from Kenya.
In addition, the agri-hub was established following a meeting held in Nairobi between President Kenyatta and Mr. Claudio Descalzi, the CEO of Eni SPA.
Eni SPA is an Italian multinational energy company with its headquarters in Rome.
Furthermore, Eni Kenya, which is a subsidiary of the Italian multinational company, signed an agreement with the Government of Kenya in July last year to promote the circular economy by setting up 20 agri-hubs for production of bio-fuels and related bio-products.
Makueni agri-hub is the first one in Kenya.
While speaking to the workers during the inspection visit, the head of state encouraged them to work hard so that the factory can expand rapidly and create more jobs, earn farmers’ income and help to reduce the cost of fuel.
Likewise, Eni Kenya’s Managing Director Mr. Enrico Tavolini while speaking during the occasion said Makueni agri-hub has an installed capacity of 15,000 tons of oil production annually.
Mr. Tavolini further reported that the factory has already provided market access to over 25,000 farmers.
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He added that the agri-hub in Makueni would also operate as a training and technical support hub for the farmers.
Nonetheless, present during the inspection tour were Energy Cabinet Secretary Dr. Monica Juma, Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, and senior officials of the National and county governments.
