BUNGOMA, KENYA: More than 1,000 people in Bungoma County are set to be absorbed by Rai Paper following the opening of its second line of production.

The Webuye-based paper manufacturer, which has been on the death bed, has so far seen two of its lines opened. The first one was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in December.

According to Rai Paper management, so far the plant produces 3,000 tonnes of paper, most of which are consumed locally. "There has also been a huge demand of our papers from Uganda. We are expanding our production capacity gradually so that we can expand our exports to this neighbouring country," said the Factory Manager Naga Shankar.

Present during the opening of the second line was Industrialisation CS Adan Mohamed, Water CS Eugene Wamalwa, Agriculture CS Willy Bett, Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka, Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, Sirisia MP John Waluke, several MCAs, among others.

"Our goal is to see every Kenyan have a decent life. By reviving these factories, the government aims at creating more jobs for Kenyans, particularly the youths," said Mr Mohamed.

The Industrialisation CS said it was unfortunate that some leaders had started putting politics in the revival journey of the once East Africa's largest paper factory.

"It is not true that the factory was sold at a throwaway price; as a matter of fact, the plant had already been taken by commercial banks (PTA and KCB). It was therefore at their discretion to sell the paper factory at whatever price that they thought was right," he added.

The progress of the revival, Governor Lusaka observed, had been impressive so far. "In a span of six months, we have managed to achieve what the factory used to produce at full capacity in the past. No doubt in two years' time, Rai Paper would be operating at full capacity, doubled its capacity and employed close to 4,000 people," said Governor Lusaka.

At the moment, the paper plant produces brown paper from recycled paper. The Bungoma County boss said the production of paper from wood is expected to resume once the third and fourth lines of production are up and running.

The Rai Group has so far pumped in some Sh24 million into the renovation of the factory. It expects to spend up to Sh6 billion in the next six years in what it says is an ambitious plan that will see Rai Paper become one of Africa's largest paper producer.