KENYA: kSh12bn Pokot cement factory to be completed next year

Investors in the Sh12 billion cement factory in Pokot have pledged to complete the project next year after revising its implementation plan.

The project was initially scheduled to end this year.CEO of the Cemtech Sanghi Group, Rajesh Kumar Rawal, has dispelled fears that the project may not take off.

"Its a complex project but we are committed to completing it within the next 15 months so that it is commissioned," he told the Star on the phone yesterday.

"We are on course to implement it because we have done much of the ground work and we have all the necessary licenses and approvals for the project." 

The plant is expect to produce more than 1.2 million tonnes of cement annually and directly employ hundreds of residents.It was commissioned by Prime Minister Raila Odinga last year.

Rawal said they are carrying out tests on the limestone deposits in Pokot to ascertain how long the raw material will last.The project's general manager Diptish Nandha has been stationed at the site to work on the implementation and says they are working round the clock.

"This is a long term and serious commitment and we have all systems running including the importation of material soon," said Diptish.The government has supplied power to the construction site at Sebit near Ortum.

Residents had expressed fears that the plant may not take off following the long delay but the CEO said they have been briefing all stakeholders including the government on the progress.

The company has bought land, made donations to 20 schools and other projects as part of its cooperate social responsibility to the community.

It bought 650 acres of freehold land in Pokot at a cost of Sh120 million for the project.Cemtech has put up an office and residential premises at Kapenguria and Sebit for its staff.

Rawal said the designs, machinery and equipment had been completed in India and China and the machinery would be moved to Kenya in the set timelines.

The plant is expected to have the latest technology comprising of fully automated manufacturing systems and controls, well-equipped chemical and physical laboratories to meet international standards.Rawal said the PM's office is aware of the implementation plan.