Solar-powered sunflower oil refinery brings new hope to Taita Taveta farmers
Across villages in Taveta and beyond, sunflower growers who once struggled to find reliable markets or suffered heavy post-harvest losses now see a brighter future.
For sunflower farmers in Taita Taveta, years of frustration are finally giving way to hope following the launch of the county’s first-ever solar-powered sunflower oil refinery — a milestone many say will transform their livelihoods and end decades of missed opportunities.
Across villages in Taveta and beyond, sunflower growers who once struggled to find reliable markets or suffered heavy post-harvest losses now see a brighter future.
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“This plant means we no longer have to watch or sell our produce for almost nothing,” said farmer Miriam Mghoi.
She added, “For the first time, we will be able to process oil locally and earn what our hard work truly deserves.”
Located in the Taveta Industrial Area, the refinery runs entirely on solar energy — a deliberate step toward sustainable agro-industrial growth.
Joint venture
The facility is a joint venture between the Taita Taveta County Government and the British Red Cross, implemented through the Kenya Red Cross Society. Once fully operational, it is expected to provide a steady market for sunflower seeds, reduce waste, create jobs, and boost household incomes.
For many farmers, the lack of a local processing facility has long been the greatest hurdle.
“We have been forced to transport sunflowers across the border to Tanzania just to have it processed, which eats into our profits. With a refinery here at home, we can finally keep that value within our own communities,” said Patrick Mwakio, another farmer.
Others view the project as more than an economic boost — a catalyst for generational change.
“This refinery will help young people like my sons find jobs close to home instead of moving to towns in search of work,” explained Agnes Nduku, a small-scale farmer, adding, “It also empowers women, many of whom depend on sunflower farming to support their families.”
County officials say the initiative is part of a broader plan to put agriculture at the centre of Taita Taveta’s economic transformation.
Value addition benefits
Agriculture CEC Dawson Katuu said the facility would “ensure that farmers enjoy the full benefits of value addition, right here in Taita Taveta, without bearing the cost of transporting produce elsewhere.”
The refinery is also expected to attract investors and spur trade and tourism across the region. Trade and Industrialisation CEC Gertrude Shuwe described the project as “a game changer not only for agriculture but for the county’s entire industrial landscape.”
Kenya Red Cross officials share the same optimism, calling the project a model for other counties seeking to blend clean energy with value addition. “It shows what is possible when communities, government, and partners come together,” said Mohammed Rajab, the organisation’s Coast Regional Programme Coordinator.
For farmers like John Mwakesi, who has cultivated sunflowers for over a decade, the refinery marks a long-awaited turning point. “We have been patient, and now our patience is paying off. This is more than a factory — it is our future,” he said.
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