Ashok Leyland, an international vehicle manufacturer will set up a bus and truck assembly line in Machakos County following the deal/CFM BUSINESS
Mutua is on an investment sourcing tour of the Emirates to woo investors to set up plants in at least each sub-county as part of the Maendeleo Chap Chap movement’s program to create immediate employment and economic growth.
Ashok Leyland, an international vehicle manufacturer will set up a bus and truck assembly line in Machakos County following the deal and has committed to open the plant within the next one month and which will be the regional hub for its operations in East and Central Africa.
The company will invest USD20 million in Machakos for this heavy manufacturing venture. Thousands of jobs will be created directly and indirectly through this joint venture. The company will also offer training skills to thousands of youths from the county.
Dr Mutua held the meeting to seal the deal with Bhimasema Rau, Vice President in charge of international sales and exports, K.M. Mandana, head of international assembly operations and C.A Thomas, regional service manager-exports.
Another United Arab Emirates investor will also set up a fruit processing factory in Machakos County following successful talks between Mutua and Joz Group of companies in Dubai.
The factory will help in the processing of fruits which are plenty in the county and include mangoes, paw paws, oranges, passion fruits among others.
On the vehicle manufacturing plant, Mutua said it will employ various skilled personnel such as fitters, administrators, marketers, painters, electricians, mechanics, drivers, welders and finance officers among other staff.
Mutua was accompanied by Trade and Industrialisation Minister Dr Sunil Dhal and Chief Officers, Mwikali Mbole (Lands) and Sheila Mukunya (Lands).
He said jobs and money will not come from unending political games, corruption and business as usual mentality.
“We have to change the way we are doing things and have tangible and real change. That’s the ideology and philosophy of Maendeleo Chap Chap,” said Mutua.
On the fruit processing plant, Mutua who held discussions with Joz Group Chairman Mohammed Jamil Joz said the groundbreaking ceremony for the fruit plant will be done in the next three months.
“This factory will certainly employ hundreds of youths thus help in alleviating hopelessness and poverty,” said Mutua.
The governor said tonnes of fruits in the county were going to waste due to lack of a processing plant and a ready market.
Mutua said he was committed to fulfilling the pledges he made during the campaigns in 2013 adding he will never engage in empty rhetoric.
“Poverty cannot be fought with stories, insults or political theatrics. Our people want action they can see and touch and that is the essence of governance,” said Mutua.
He said that he will continue hunting for goodies from investors so that the lives of the people of Machakos can be improved.
Mutua said poverty can only be rolled back by concrete economic growth action and not sideshows, propaganda, corruption and lethargy.
