The Kisumu National Polytechnic plans to begin production at its Sh1.2 billion textile factory in January.
However, the institution must resolve raw material supply, energy costs and waste management challenges before the facility can operate sustainably.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of this month, with the project scheduled to close in December as the institution shifts its focus from building the facility to production, training and establishing a viable operating model.
Funded by the World Bank under the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project (Eastrip), the factory is designed to accommodate the entire textile production chain, from processing raw cotton into yarn to weaving fabric and manufacturing finished garments.
Polytechnic prepares for production
Chief Principal Wycliffe Okumu said the institution was preparing an operational plan to integrate the different units and ensure the factory serves industrial and educational purposes.
“We want to fully operationalise the value chain by coming up with a detailed implementation plan,” he said during an inspection by a World Bank technical team.
Okumu said the polytechnic was engaging farmers, political leaders and MCAs in Nyanza and Western to establish dependable sources of seed cotton, while exploring affordable energy solutions and an effluent treatment plant to manage industrial waste.
Governing Council Chairman Judah Ochieng said clear procedures for production, equipment maintenance and management of the textile centre of excellence must be established before operations begin.
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