The Indian billionaire Narendra Raval is looking to set up another factory in Kenya. His company recently submitted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to Kenya’s environmental regulatory body, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to establish a clinker factory. The billionaire wishes to expand his conglomerate with this new venture.
- Narendra Raval's Devki Group submits an EIA report for a clinker factory in Kenya's Kitui County.
- The factory proposal aims to enhance local cement production and create job opportunities.
- Potential approval would consolidate Raval's influence in Kenya's cement industry.
A report by BusinessDaily revealed that Cemtech, a branch of Simba Cement under the parent company Devki Group, which is owned by the wealthy Kenyan industrialist and philanthropist, Narendra Raval, recently submitted an EIA Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) for review.
Simply put, the company is advocating for the establishment of a clinker factory in Kitui County and is requesting that the Kenyan government give its nod of approval.
”The need for this EIA study is to predict the potential impacts of a proposed project and propose feasible mitigation measures against the negative impacts while enhancing the positive impacts for coexistence and sustainability as the proponent proposed to advance to Clinker Production Line,” the report reads in part.
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If approved, the Indian billionaire would have a firm grip on the clinker business in Kenya.
Clinker, a nodular substance created during the cement-making process at the kilning stage, serves as the binder in several cement-based products. Clinker lumps or nodules typically have a diameter of 3 to 25 mm and are dark gray in appearance.
According to Capital Business, President William Ruto officially opened the Sh45 billion Cemtech Sebit Clinker factory in West Pokot in April 2024.
With a capacity of 2 million tons annually, the facility would generate an estimated 6,000 metric tons of clinker per day, just enough for the East African area, according to its chairman, Narendra Raval.
The cement mogul Raval has claimed that his network of businesses will have a significant impact, particularly by giving Kenyan residents of certain areas jobs.
