The cost of putting up the Pokot cement factory is set to increase from the projected Sh12 billion because of inflation and poor infrastructure of the country.

 

Investors on the project have expressed concern that the wakening of the shilling against international currencies will drastically increase the cost on importing raw materials fr the factory from abroad.

 

Cemtech Ltd which has been licensed to put up the project is in the process of importing the raw materials from five countries including the US, China, India and South Africa.  Cemtech Ltd is a subsidiary of the Sanghi Group of India which is world's largest cement producer. 

 

A cemtech director Rajesh Kumar Rawal says they are, however, committed to completing the project in the next two years.  Experts handling the construction are on site in Pokot, "We would have started work earlier were it not for the heavy rains but we hope the weather will clear up so we can proceed", said Rawal. Bad roads in the region will also affect transportation of material from Mombasa.

 

The project is on course and all relevant government authorities are following up the progress.  Prime Minister Raila Odinga has also written to the group assuring them of total government support to complete the project.  The government has approved extension of electricity to facilitate the construction of the factory of Ortum. Updates from the firm indicated that more than 1-,000 people will benefit from the factory directly and indirectly. The firm paid Sh 120 million for the land and has 99 years lease. 

 

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