Uhuru stresses PPP value in manufacturing
Seth Mwaniki and PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has reiterated the importance of public-private partnerships (PPP) in advancing the government’s manufacturing pillar of the Big 4 Agenda.
Speaking on Monday when he opened a nanotechnology and semiconductor manufacturing facility at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri County, President Kenyatta said such factories form the foundation of making Kenya an industrialised nation.
The nano-technology and semiconductor manufacturing facility was established by Semiconductor Technologies Limited (STL) on the 177-acre Dedan Kimathi University of Technology’s Science and Technology Park (DeST-Park) on a public-private partnership arrangement.
The company, which is the only one of its kind in Africa, produces integrated circuits, sensors and related nanotechnology products for the world market.
Its products have a high global demand and are used in electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, televisions and laptop computers.
“This is the dream some of us have for this country, our ability to become an industrialised nation, to be able to create good quality and well paying jobs for our young people,” the President said.
He noted that it was unique companies established by Kenyans like STL that will transform Kenya from a country that consumes products from other parts of the world to one that exports not only its products but also its technology across the globe.
The Head of State recalled that recently he launched a weapons factory which will save the country millions of tax-payers money every year as part of the Government’s effort to produce and consume locally manufactured goods.
“By producing locally, we are not only saving money but also creating well-paying jobs for our young people,” President Kenyatta said.
In this regard, the President disclosed that he will soon launch a ship-building enterprise in Mombasa, adding that the country is also getting back to assembling motor vehicles locally as used to happen in the past.
