The Government, through the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA), has today commissioned a Common User Facility (CUF) for edible oil processing in Lamu County, marking a significant milestone in the implementation of the Edible Oil Promotion Project.
The newly installed facility is equipped with an oil processing machine capable of crushing 5 metric tonnes of oil crops per day and refining up to 500 litres of edible oil daily. The facility is expected to enhance local value addition, increase farmers’ incomes, and significantly reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported edible oils.
Speaking during the commissioning, government officials noted that the initiative aligns with national efforts to strengthen agro-processing, promote high-value oil crops, and improve food and income security for farming communities. The Lamu facility will serve as a shared processing hub for farmers, cooperatives, and agribusinesses, enabling them to access modern processing technology and better markets.
The Edible Oil Promotion Project is being implemented nationwide, with plans underway to replicate similar Common User Facilities in 14 additional counties, further expanding local processing capacity and supporting smallholder farmers across the country.
Beyond edible oil processing, farmers in Lamu County continue to benefit from multiple government interventions coordinated through AFA. These include the distribution of sunflower seeds, support for cotton production, and expanded initiatives in coconut, cashew nut, groundnut, sisal, and bixa cultivation—aimed at diversifying incomes and strengthening agricultural resilience in the region.
The commissioning ceremony was graced by Chief Guest Dr. Paul Ronoh, Principal Secretary, State Department for Agriculture, alongside Abubakar Hassan Abubakar, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Investment Promotion (MITI). Also in attendance were Lamu County Member of Parliament Hon. Marubu Muthoni Monicah, AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru, MBS, OGW, and other senior national and county government officials.
The launch of the Lamu Common User Facility underscores the Government’s commitment to driving agricultural transformation through value addition, empowering farmers, and building a sustainable and competitive edible oils subsector.
