Vihiga County is an administrative region in the former Western Province of Kenya. According to Kenyan News portal Standard Digital, Vihiga County is set to invest Sh10 million in a bamboo research centre to sensitise residents on the importance of the plant and help increase its acreage in Western Kenya.

The research centre is a precursor to a bamboo factory that will come after farmers are able to produce enough bamboo to keep it going.The County Deputy Governor Caleb Amaswache, who led a delegation from Vihiga, Busia, Nyamira, Kisii, Turkana and Baringo counties for a two-week conference on bamboo cultivation in China, said the importance of the plant exceeds the focus it has been given in the country.

“The county is going to invest in a research centre which will link up with the newly established Kaimosi Friends University College and Masinde Muliro University to provide expert advice to farmers willing to venture into the crop’s farming,” said Mr Amaswache. He said they had sought goodwill from Chinese bamboo companies who were willing to come in and help to establish the centre.