Simba Cement to put up Ortum Cement factory West Pokot County

Simba Cement Company plans to set up Ortum Cement factory in West Pokot County within a year with the construction expected to take eighteen months.

Construction of the cement factory was supposed to commence in 2010, however the investor failed to start the project and has since been acquired by another company.

However, the then investor, Cemtech Company, failed to start the project and has since been acquired by Simba Cement.

Competition Authority of Kenya which okayed the acquisition says the move which is unlikely to disrupt the market is also backed by Cemtech’s decade-long dormancy and consistence search for a strategic partner to finance construction of a cement plant.

Simba Cement is operating under National Cement brand name and holds 8% of the market share, which is the lowest.

Bamburi Cement Limited holds the largest share of the cement market at 33%, Mombasa Cement Limited at 16%, East African Portland Cement Company at 15%, Savannah Cement 15% and Athi River Mining Africa Limited 13%.

The new investor has hit the ground running, by seeking an audience with residents of Sebit, where the cement plant would be based.

Simba Cement is expected to mine limestone on a 650-acre piece of land within the Ortum belt.

The firm says public participation and consultation involving the community is expected to start this week.

Government officials have welcomed the new investor noting that the factory would create jobs and contribute to development of the region.

To fast-track the process, the new investor was urged to pick up from issues agreed between residents and Cemtech Company.

Also read http://www.kbc.co.ke/cemtech-given-nod-to-acquire-simba-cement-company/