President William Ruto has lauded Devki Group owner Narendra Raval for his significant investment in the country.
Ruto praised Raval as a true patriot dedicated to the nation’s progress.
“Huyu Guru ni rafiki yangu lakini anaamini kwenye taifa la Kenya. Sio watu wengi wako na uzalendo ya kutosha kuweka pesa zao katika investment ya mali kama hii,” he said.
(This Guru is my great friend and he believes in our country. Not all people are this patriotic to the extent investing such huge money in such a project)
He was speaking during the commissioning of the Sh45 billion Cemtech Sebit Clinkerization plant in West Pokot.
The factory will produce an estimated 6,000 metric tons of clinker daily with a capacity of processing two million tons yearly.
He, however, expressed regrets that since the licensing and groundbreaking of the project 13 years ago, nothing tangible had been achieved something he attributed to a lack of commitment from the previous administration.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga officiated the groundbreaking ceremony in 2010.
“People had excuses, oh you know West Pokot is insecure, oh you know there is the import of clinker and many other excuses,” he added.
Highlighting the immense contribution of the investment, the head of state noted that the economic benefits of the Devki Group are critical and substantial.
He said local manufacturing of clinker and steel has saved the country foreign exchange to the tune of $500 million yearly (Sh65 billion).
Apart from the job opportunities, Ruto added that the Group remits Sh2 billion monthly in the form of taxes which translates to Sh24 billion annually.
Apart from this, it pays Sh1 billion every month to Kenya power in electricity bills making it the leading followed by telecommunication network Safaricom.
“That level of commitment, investment and paying taxes demonstrates immeasurable patriotism to the republic of Kenya and I want to say to my friend Raval congratulations,” he said.
In his address, Raval echoed a similar sentiment even causing laughter when he said Ruto should remain as the president for 25 years.
“I have no words to say but to thank him. He loves us some much, he loves this country. God gives him 100 years of life, I wish that we have this president for 25 years…mahali ingine iko miaka mingi sana, if we have him hii inchi itabadilika sana,” he said.
The project, established at the Sebit limestone mines deposits hills in Kipkomo sub-County is owned by Cemtech Limited, a subsidiary of the renowned Devki group of companies.