Industrialist Narendra Raval has applied for a prospecting licence in Taita Taveta County as part of his plan to make Devki Steel Mills the first producer of primary steel in Kenya.
If approved, the licence will allow Raval to explore and extract iron ore deposits in the mineral-rich county, a step seen as crucial in reducing Kenya’s reliance on imported raw materials for its steel industry.
In a parallel move, the Devki Group founder is also pursuing a Ksh 15 billion annual export deal with Uganda for iron ore, a development that would strengthen his grip on the steel and raw materials markets across East Africa.
Industry insiders say the deal could position Devki Steel not only as a regional manufacturing powerhouse but also as a key player in resource-driven exports, a sector long dominated by foreign companies.
The developments come amid renewed government emphasis on local value addition in the mining sector and efforts to position Kenya as a competitive industrial hub in the region.
