On Thursday, ODM leader Raila Odinga sneaked into Kisumu to inspect the collapsed Kisumu Cotton Mills (Kicomi), boosting hopes for the revival of the region's only ginnery.
In the impromptu visit, Raila was secretly driven into the compound of the firm in a lean convoy of just two cars, according to People Daily.
The revival attempts to resuscitate the company have hit a snag several times due to ownership wrangles.
The former premier is said to have gone into a 30-minute meeting with a team believed to be the custodians of the firm after which he was taken around for an inspection tour before he hurriedly left.
Raila’s visit to the firm comes barely a few days after President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned Eldoret-based Rift Valley Textile Limited (Rivatex) which is expected to get its raw materials from 24 cotton growing counties, most of which are within Nyanza.
Raila also for the second time, conducted a private tour of the Kisumu port which is undergoing renovations.
Odinga, who was accompanied by Suna East MP Junet Mohammed, Kenya Railways boss Atanas Maina and Nyanza regional commissioner James Kianda and Kisumu deputy governor Dr. Mathews Owili visited to inspect progress on the ongoing Ksh3 Billion rehabilitation works, scheduled for reopening in August.
Five regional presidents are expected for the launch of the port that is expected to ease business and revive the blue economy.
The port is under tight security with 24-hour patrol by officers from the Kenya Navy and local police.
Journalists were, however, restricted from accessing the facility that was closed to the public one week ago.
