Narendra Raval, a steel tycoon who is considered Kenya’s richest man is establishing two cement factories in the country worth Sh 6 Billion.
Raval is the founder of Devki Group, a company with annual revenues of approximately Sh 100 Billion and deals in steel products, roofing sheets and cement.
According to Construction Kenya, the first plant, which has the capacity to produce 750 million tonnes of cement annually, will be located on a 20-hectare plot in Mariakani, Kilifi County, while a second plant of an equal capacity will be located in the Rongai township of Njoro sub-county in Nakuru.
Mr Raval is quoted saying that the two cement plants will help to further reduce the price of cement, while shortening the distances covered by lorries delivering the material to construction sites across the country.
“When we launched our operations six years ago, our goal was to reduce the cost of housing and it is being realised as I have managed to offer quality cement at Sh550 ex-factory compared to the then market price of Sh700 per 50-kilogramme bag before our entry,” Mr Raval said.
Devki Group produces one of the most popular cement brands called Simba. The company owns a cement grinding plant in Lukenya, Machakos County and a clinkering plant at Simba town, Kajiado. The company also owns steelmaking factories in Athi River, Machakos and Ruiru town in Kiambu County.
The proposed Njoro plant will be located on the Nakuru-Eldoret highway in Rongai town and it will serve customers within Nakuru, Baringo, Narok and Uasin Gishu counties and Western Kenya.
Sources; Construction Kenya,
