Residents of Okuleu village in Teso North constituency have embraced a hides and skins buying and storage facility following its temporary closure by the county government a week ago after protests over the business.
Teso North Sub-county Administrator Silas Juma had suspended the facility’s operations following a petition by some residents who complained of a foul smell allegedly emanating from the premises in their neighbourhood.
The facility, the only one of its kind in Western Kenya, purchases already dried hides and skins from slaughterhouses in Kakamega, Siaya, Homa Bay, Bungoma and Busia counties.
The facility was established four months ago without the public participation required for projects with potential environmental and public health implications.
Residents endorsed the project during a public participation forum organised by the National Environment Management Authority (Nema).
They said they welcomed the investor, provided he complied with regulations and addressed the foul smell.
They said the investment would create jobs and help tackle unemployment, which has contributed to insecurity in the area.
Justus Amayo from Nema urged the investor, Ramadhan Karani, to ensure the timely collection of hides and skins and limit the period the products remain in storage.
He also called for proper preservation using chemicals, adequate ventilation and the prompt removal of rejected hides.
Amayo said the recommendations would help the community benefit from the investment while minimising environmental and public health risks.
Karani admitted he had overlooked public participation before establishing the project.
“When I later visited Nema offices, I was advised that I should have conducted public participation to establish whether the community supports the project and its location and was given two weeks to do so,” he said.
Karani said the hides undergo further processing to meet public health standards before being baled and transported by rail to Nairobi for value addition.
“Our work ends after loading into the railway container. Other investors take it over from there to complete the process of value addition by manufacturing shoes, leather jackets and bags,” Karani said.
He revealed plans to establish a tannery and manufacture shoes and other leather products in Okuleu within the next three years. He said the investment would expand employment opportunities.
He also announced plans to establish a water project to support community development and create more jobs.
Juma said the public participation exercise had been prompted by a petition from residents who felt they had not been adequately informed about the project.
Busia County Environment officer Brian Marono welcomed the investment, saying it would benefit residents through employment opportunities and improved access to water and electricity.
Marono encouraged community members to supply the products required by the facility to sustain its operations.
