Busia County Secretary condemns theft of building materials at industrial park site

By Peter Ochieng

Busia County Secretary (CS) Oscar Juma has condemned the theft of building materials and equipment at the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) site in Nasewa, Matayos Subcounty.

Unknown people, reportedly numbering over 10 broke into premises at the park on Thursday night, manhandled security officers at the gate, before making away with over 150 bags of cement and assorted iron bars.

They loaded the building materials on a truck and disappeared.

Addressing the press on site after a fact finding mission, County Secretary Oscar Juma urged the investigative agencies to hasten the investigation process, and bring to book those behind the incident.

“We want to state here categorically that we will not allow a project of this magnitude being implemented by tax payers' money to be vandalised by enemies of development,” warned the CS.

He added that the leadership and residents of Busia and Kenya at large, are eager to see the Sh500 million project successfully completed.

The project is co-funded by the national and county governments.

“I have directed the contractor to liase with the police department for additional security officers and also install alarm back up system to avert similar incidents in future,” he said.

He reiterated that the incident will not deter the contractor from undertaking construction of the park, considering that the site is insured against any risks.

The CS urged the community to own and jealously guard the project, if they want to fully benefit from it.

“My observation from the assessment we have conducted points to an inside job or a well choreographed theft by those who understand very well the on goings inside the site,” he said.

Former Trade Cabinet Secretary (CS) Moses Kuria launched construction of the Busia CAIP in August 2023, in the company of Busia governor Paul Otuoma among others.

“This three-phased project will not only bolster the agricultural sector but also reduce Kenya’s dependence on imported edible oils which costs the economy more than Sh100 billion annually. This first phase will create about 5,000 direct jobs,” said the CS, then.

“Our objective is to facilitate production and employment, attract investment, integrate into East Africa value chain and facilitate export,” added Otuoma.

Police have since launched investigations into the theft of building materials at the park.