Aqualine Distributors Ltd manager Hillary Kitur shows journalists process of recycling used motor vehicle tyres into industrial diesel at the company in Athi River, Machakos County on Thursday. [Photo|MOwiti]

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A 32-year-old man who produces diesel from recycled tyres in Mavoko, Machakos County has urged the government to support youth innovations, reduce the unemployment rate.

Hillary Kitur, the director of Athi River based Aqualine Distributors LTD said the state should support youth groups to venture in innovative projects to save the environment and earn income as a way of addressing unemployment in the country.

Kitur addressed the press at the company in Athi River town on Wednesday.

“We burn waste tyres and recycle them using pyrolysis method to produce industrial diesel oil, steel wire, carbon black and syne gas,” said Kitur.

He said the company burns capacity of 3,000 pieces of tyres a month to produce 25,000liters of diesel monthly.

“I was motivated into the business by the fact that there were lots of tyres (raw materials) around lying unused, this to me was good opportunity to start the business,” said Kitur.

Kitur said the products have lots of markets in the region and across the country.

He said their clients rely on their products for industrial usage, “our customers use the diesel for burning boilers in their firms.”

Kitur said he started the business in 2007 by collecting tyres and delivering them to Bamburi Cement Company, Mombasa plant before setting own company in AthiRiver in 2014 due to the high supply of raw materials.

The director said the company has employed 15 youths directly and over 100 others indirectly.

Kitur said the random burning of tyres leads to environmental pollution and is against the law.

He said Kenyans should collect used tyres and sell to the company instead of burning them unnecessarily.

“Let people especially youths collect tyres and sell them to us, they will earn them income and improve their living standards,” said Kitur.

Kitur said the company intends to open branches in several counties across the country.