President William Ruto, on Friday, November 18, revealed the vital role billionaire Narendra Raval played in inking a lucrative deal with his Ugandan counterpart, Yoweri Museveni, to aid the local manufacturing sector and subsequently create employment opportunities.
During the grand opening of the DEVKI Steel Plant in Kwale County on Friday, November 18, Ruto affirmed that Uganda would provide 5 million tonnes of iron ore to be used locally as raw materials.
He attributed the deal's success to Raval, who accompanied him during his recent tour in Uganda, where he attended the country's 60th Independence Day.
"You've heard the Guru (Billionaire Narendra Raval) is requesting to be given dollars due to the multiple things that he imports.
"I was with him in Uganda during my recent travel to the country, and I talked to President Museveni for him to give us raw materials, and he accepted to give us 5 million tonnes of iron ore to be brought yearly to the Kwale factory," the head of state pointed out.
Ruto also promised that the government would increase the contribution to the manufacturing industry from the current seven per cent to twenty per cent by 2030.
"We agreed with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and the industry that we will move our contribution from 7 per cent to 20 per cent by 2030.
"That is why they have adopted 20 by 30, that is the program," Ruto stated while tasking Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria with the assignment.
While addressing the audience, Raval claimed that he was among those victimised for his association with Ruto.
"Six months ago it was not easy. Once you were identified to be a Ruto person you would not sleep. All state machinery would come after you. That happened to me, sir."
"We could not sleep, they would frame you and send state officials to you. They took our telephones, and computers and closed the businesses. Till today, they look at our WhatsApp messages. I am sure we will not be working like this," the billionaire noted.
