Kenya’s Savannah Cement has welcomed a presidential directive that public institutions source 40% of their requirements from local manufacturers.
The directive is geared at fostering a ‘Buy Kenya build Kenya’ culture by all public-sector institutions.
The Government, President Kenyatta said, is pursuing policies that ensure growth in consumption of locally-produced goods and services to secure opportunity and productivity.
Savannah Cement MD, Ronald Ndegwa, described the move as a lifeline for local manufacturers. “Local industries have been suffering from competition from imported products purchased by public institutions at the expense of local manufacturers,” he added.
The directive will also inspire local companies to step up their product innovation efforts while benchmarking against global manufacturers.
Savannah Cement is investing over US$200million to install its second high-efficiency milling plant to meet growing cement demand.
The new Savannah Hydraulic Road Binder (HRB) makes Savannah Cement the first Sub-Sahara African cement manufacturer producing such a specialised product.
The HRB cement blend, developed at the request by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, is used in road construction to stabilise road surfaces.
Globally, HRB products are used in place of mainstream cement and lime products for soil stabilisation on loose road surfaces.
