By Allan Kisia and Roselyne Obala

President Kibaki has said the Government plans to revive the Webuye Pan Paper Mills.

Kibaki assured Kenyans the factory’s revival is high on the Government agenda and urged leaders from Western Province to support the initiative.

"I want to assure Kenyans the Government will spend whatever money to revive the factory," he said at the third graduation of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega, on Friday.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, who spoke at the same function, had indicated the factory was a major investment in Western.

"We hope as a Government things will move forward. It is our wish the factory will reopen as soon as possible," he said.

The Government had announced it would revive the factory and take full control of its operations and management.

Cabinet ministers Sally Kosgei (Higher Education), Wycliffe Oparanya (Planning), Soita Shitanda (Housing), Noah Wekesa (Forestry and Wildlife) and assistant minister Manyala Keya were present.

The President also said the Government will create favourable environment for growth of viable rural-based industries.

He encouraged people from the region to engage in commercial farming to create wealth, expand employment, and improve quality of life.

Kibaki said Western Province has the potential to grow surplus food if farmers put more efforts and use modern farming methods.

He said modern commercial agriculture contributes substantially to economic development.

"Western Province is blessed with good soils and adequate rainfall.

"I urge people to work hard to be self sufficient in food production," the President said.

Pan Paper Mills was closed on February 18 after Kenya Power and Lightning Company disconnected electricity over a Sh100 million bill. More than 4,000 workers lost their jobs after the collapse of the factory.