AFRICA: KENYA: Sh12 Billion Pokot Cement Factory to Be Built Soon

The government has said construction of the stalled Sh12 billion Pokot Cement Factory will start soon. Investors from India who bought land for the project have not pulled out of the area, according to Acting Managing Director of Kerio Valley Development Authority, Francis Kipkech.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga commissioned the factory at Ortum in West Pokot in July 2010 and since then construction has not started. Area residents are now questioning why the project stalled. "The project has not stalled and the investor is now assembling his requirements before proceeding with the the work at the site. Its not a small project and requires proper planning," said Kipkech.

The factory is to be put up by investors from Cemtech which has already received licences from the government to proceed with the project. Cemtech is a subsidiary of Sanghi Group of India which is the world's leading cement producer. Chief Executive of Cemtech Rajesh Rawal had confirmed that they had finalised plans to put up the cement factory which was expected to produce more than 1.2 million tonnes of cement annually. Rawal has not been accessible for comment on the progress of the project.

Pokot County Council chairman David Moiben said the process of putting up the factory is detailed and may take time. "As far as I know the project will take off but they have to plan properly and bring in necessary material and equipment," said Moiben. The group had outlined plans to put up an ultra modern, environmentally friendly cement plant with state of art technology along with staff houses, schools, a medical centre, staff training centre and other amenities and facilities on 650 acres of freehold land which the firm has already purchased from residents of the area.

Before the project was commissioned Rajesh confirmed that Cemtech had already paid Ksh 120 million to purchase the factory site and the project had also been licensed by the Pokot County Council which gave Cemtech 99 years of rights to mine limestone for the cement production in the area. As part of the project plan the group will also put up a 64 Mw power plant and 50 Mw from the plant power would be sold to the national power grid. tech. The Pokot factory was expected to directly employ 1,200 people and benefit another 40,000 residents of the arid region.