A 2022 presidential candidate says he will promote the local manufacture of construction products including steel if he comes into power. Raila Odinga, running under the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, says in his manifesto launched recently that since the primary raw material for steel manufacture, iron ore, is available locally and regionally, his government would encourage local production.
He noted that the construction sector had recorded an impressive average growth of 11.8% in 2020 compared to a 5.6% growth in the same period in 2019 mainly driven by huge infrastructure projects by government that included roads, rail, water supply, ports and housing subsectors, amongst others.
Mr Odinga, who has previously served as Roads, Public Works and Housing Cabinet Minister in a previous government, sees opportunities for reforms in policy, legal, institutional and regulatory frameworks to guide construction and real estate sectors.
