An International-based company is set to open a vehicle manufacturing plant in Machakos.
In a news release issued to the media Friday afternoon, Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua said Ashok Leyland Company limited plans to open a bus and truck assembly plant in the county.
“The company will start investing approximately Sh2.04 billion in the next few weeks. The plant will be its regional operations hub for in East and Central Africa,” said Mutua.
Mutua said he has held several discussions with the manufacturer in their Ras Al Khaimar offices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The governor stated that in addition to the thousands of jobs, directly and indirectly created, the venture will also offer skills and training to the youth.
“This is a very exciting venture because it offers quick gains to my people of Machakos. The company will employ people of various skills such as fitters, administrators, marketers, painters, electricians, mechanics, drivers, welders and finance officers, among many others,” he added.
He affirmed that his meeting with the company’s Vice President in- charge of International sales exports, Mr Bhimasena Rau among other company managers at the UAE was a follow-up to meetings held in his Machakos office in 2015.
Mutua further urged leaders to change the way they do things and have real and tangible change given that jobs and money will not come from unending political games, corruption and business as usual mentality.
Mutua is currently on an official tour of the UAE accompanied by the County CeC in Charge of Trade and Industrialization, Dr Sunil Dhal, Chief Officer of Land, Mwikali Mbole and Chief Officer of Trade, Sheila Mukunya.