Machakos County could benefit from a multi-million tyre recycling facility if a plan being mooted by Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) is adopted.
To be built at a cost of Sh1 billion by UK firm, REMAPOL Limited, the tyre-recycling factory will involve the purchase, installation, and operation of the facility in Machakos Town.
The proposal was handed over to the Machakos County Governor Dr Alfred Mutua last week by the KNCCI Chairman Kiprono Kittony, who said that the county was best placed to set up the factory given its proximity to Nairobi and focused leadership.
Welcoming the deal, Dr Mutua said the county would give projects recommended by the chamber priority because this would speed up the vetting process and acquisition of stamps of approval.
Cost effective
Dr Mutua said Machakos County has so far received investment interest estimated at Sh1.5 trillion, and was dealing with serious investors who are required to open up the first phase of their projects within 18 months of land allocation.
“Investors getting land here have a month to fence, two months to lay groundwork and 18 months to open first phase,” he said. Among investors on the ground are Nairobi Hospital, which is putting up a modern health facility, a hospital from Japan, and several others from the US.
Mr Kittony said the Chamber was evaluating the 47 counties with a view of determining where to direct investment inquiries being handled by the institution. “We want to ensure that all the counties participate in international trade by establishing what opportunities can be tapped to diversify the country’s product base,” Kittony added.
REMAPOL will recycle tyres into steel and rubber granules and process the granules into a wide range of rubber products. This will contribute towards solving waste management problems by investing in a cost effective and environmental friendly tyre recycling plant. The rubber granulate will be used as raw material for a variety of new rubber products destined for the local and international markets. The steel and textile fractions will be sold or disposed of locally.
The factory will create employment opportunities, substitute imports and clean up the environment of old tyre materials. “Upon completion, the factory will make a meaningful contribution to waste reduction and environmental protection in the country,” said Kittony.