Government reverses decision on Athi River plant closure, Kenya

Kenya’s National Environment Protection Agency has retracted its order to shut down Athi River Mining’s plant, company chief executive Pradeep Paunrana, has said.

Last week, Mr Paunrana told Reuter’s that the company expected sales and profit to rise this year, provided it resolved the dispute with the environment agency. Mr Paunrana said the company had submitted a plan of action to comply with the issues raised by the environment agency, which led the agency to withdraw its order. 

"We are fully compliant with our modern technology clinker manufacturing plant and expect to operate the plant at full capacity going forward," Paunrana said in a statement.

Closure of the plant, over Athi River's failure to tarmac a road leading to it among other points raised by the agency, would have forced the cement producer to import clinker.