Hands off Portland, State told

Kajiado county leaders have asked the government to stop interfering with the management of East African Portland Cement Company.

The leaders threatened to block the limestone mining sites in case Portland Cement board chairman Mark Karbolo and managing director Kepher Tande are ousted.

The leaders said the cement maker’s top management is being fought by some senior government officials who want to employ their cronies.

Led by Kajiado county governor Dr David Nkedianye, the leaders said under the leadership of Karbolo (right) and Tande, the company has taken “a profit trajectory path” despite difficult times in the past.

“We are all aware that the East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) has been in the news for all the wrong reasons which are created by some senior government officials,” said Nkedianye.

The governor said interfering with the company will affect its expansion plan that will see the company construct another cement plant at Ilbisil in Kajiado County.

“The plan to oust the two is in bad taste and ill-timed as it comes at a time when plans are underway to construct another cement plant in the county,” the governor said.

NEW FACTORY?

Nkedianye spoke in Matapato North ward where the Cement company was handing over a new dispensary to the county government. He was with  Kajiado Central MP Joseph Nkaissery.

Nkaissery praised the EAPCC leadership for its plan to establish another factory in the county. “We ask the government to give the top managers in EAPCC a chance to oversee the plan to construct the new factory in the area,” he said.

Mr Tande said the new plant, whose feasibility study is being undertaken by an Indian firm, will boost the cement and construction industry.

“We are expecting the report by April this year after the Indian firm complete its feasibility studies in April this year. Production of clinker in Kenya will boost local construction sector,” said Mr Tande.

A member of the county assembly, Daniel Kanchori said Kajiado residents support Karbolo and Tande.

“Interfering with the leadership of Portland (EAPCC) will mean the cement maker must prepare to source its raw materials elsewhere and not in Kajiado County,” he said.