Ksh 11B Steel Plant in Voi to Create Thousands of Jobs for Taita Taveta Residents
Residents of Taita Taveta County are poised to experience a significant boost in employment opportunities with the upcoming establishment of a Ksh11 billion steel processing factory in Voi. The new factory, set to be a major industrial hub, is expected to provide direct jobs for approximately 6,000 local residents, marking a substantial development for the region.
The steel factory’s arrival will come as a beacon of hope for the county, known for its economic potential yet grappling with high unemployment rates. Local leaders have expressed a strong commitment to ensuring that the benefits of this investment are shared equitably among the community, the county government, and the national government.
Narendra Raval, the chairperson of Devki Group, emphasized the importance of supporting local miners and artisans in the region. “We will try to support each and every individual, including miners and artisan miners, with mechanisms to mine more and progress to higher levels of the industry,” Raval said. Citing the Gen Z protests that crippled operations in the country, Raval stressed the broader benefits of the factory employing the huge young population.
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“If you work, definitely it is very good for the country. The country is facing a Gen Z problem—not a problem of Gen Z themselves but of unemployment. People lack the time to protest if they are occupied with work. We must work towards creating job opportunities,” he noted.
Speaking during the handing over of the title deed for the construction of the factory, Taita Taveta Governor Andrew Mwadime explained that his administration was committed to promoting the value addition of minerals, a fundamental pillar of reducing unemployment among young people.
“We officially handed over 202.4 hectares of land to Devki Steel Mills Limited for the construction of a Ksh11 billion iron-ore processing plant in Ngolia Ward,” Mwadime stated. Mwadime also called for legislative support to safeguard the interests of both investors and the local workforce. “I want to ask Members of Parliament in Wundanyi, Mwatate, Taveta, and Voi to unite and draft a law that will protect this investor,” Mwadime said.
The governor highlighted the potential for the factory to significantly benefit the local economy, especially through job creation during the construction and operational phases. Senator Jones Mwaruma, also of Taita Taveta County, pledged to oversee the implementation of laws to ensure they are followed, with a particular focus on environmental sustainability.
“I will review the laws we enact to ensure they are adhered to,” Mwaruma stated. “The first law to focus on is the Environmental Management and Conservation Act to ensure we conserve our environment while advancing industrial development.”
As the steel factory project progresses, local leaders are keen to ensure that the benefits are maximized and that the environmental impact is carefully managed. The establishment of this factory represents a significant milestone for Taita Taveta County, promising economic revitalization and job creation for thousands of residents.
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Ksh 11B Steel Plant in Voi to Create Thousands of Jobs for Taita Taveta Residents
