GE plans billion-dollar projects in Kenya/VPPS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 30 – International conglomerate General Electric (GE) has made an entry into Kenya, with plans for a number of billion-dollar projects earmarked under the Vision 2030 economic blueprint.
GE Chairman and Chief Executive Jeff Immelt was in Nairobi on Monday to launch an office that will serve as a hub for the companies foray into Sub Sahara Africa.
He said a Strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will be signed between GE and the Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat covering projects in energy, transport, aviation, healthcare services and human capital development.
Vision 2030 Director General Mugo Kibati noted that GE’s entry into Kenya and partnership will greatly enhance Vision 2030’s transformational project delivery.
“This partnership will ensure a major focus on knowledge, technology transfer and human capacity development through the localisation of activities such as the manufacturing of locomotives, assembling and maintenance, technical expertise in managing healthcare diagnostic centres and telemedicine,” Kibati said.
In the energy sector the firm is investing Sh33 billion in renewable power generation projects where feasibility studies have already begun.
General Electric is involved in a 100 Megawatt wind project at Ngong Hills.
In the aviation sector, GE has also partnered with Kenya Airways in a multi-billion dollar growth plan comprising airplane leases, engine purchases, service agreements, technical and leadership capacity development.
“The firm will also partner with Rift Valley Railways (RVR) under an initiative to rehabilitate 35 locomotives, supply of new trains, localisation of parts inventories and field service engineer training potential signalling and communications systems for commuter line,” said Kibati.
They spoke at a roundtable meeting that was attended by ministers whose departments are involved in the targeted projects.
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka described Vision 2030 a comprehensive and the single most important initiative in Kenya’s determined, progressive and well-meaning efforts to move towards a modern economy.
