TORORO, Uganda — Billionaire industrialist and Devki Group founder Narendra Raval has once again ignited a political firestorm by suggesting that President William Ruto should remain in office for two decades to fully stabilize Kenya’s economy and eradicate unemployment.
Speaking on Sunday during the high-profile commissioning of the Devki Steel Factory construction in Tororo District, Uganda, Raval argued that the President’s economic reforms and leadership style warrant a tenure far exceeding the constitutional two-term limit.
Economic praise and controversial proposals
Addressing a delegation that included President Ruto and his host, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, Raval attributed Kenya’s recent economic stability to Ruto’s decision-making.
He cited the reduction of inflation and the stabilization of the currency as key indicators of success, arguing that continuity is essential for long-term growth.
“Again, I will repeat, although the Constitution does not allow, I will say you should be there for 20 years. I know the last time when I said this, I was heavily criticised, but if you want to remove unemployment in the country, we need this,” Raval declared.
The tycoon dismissed the notion that the economic turnaround was accidental, crediting the administration with lowering inflation from highs of 9 or 10 per cent to approximately 4 per cent through expert guidance.
“He has reduced Kenya’s inflation. That is not magic; he hired experts and made the right decisions at the right time,” the businessman noted.
Raval further lauded the administration’s ability to attract global capital, claiming a significant surge in investor confidence over the last three years.
“A leader is not an expert in everything, but he hires the experts and takes the correct decisions at the correct time. I salute him because foreign direct investments have tripled in three years’ time. Congratulations!” Raval added.
A history of praise
This is not the first time the steel magnate has advocated for an extended presidency for Ruto. In 2022, during the commissioning of a Devki steel plant in Kwale, Raval expressed similar sentiments that drew sharp criticism from constitutionalists and opposition figures.
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At the time, he stated: “I have no words to say but to thank him. He loves us so much; he loves this country. God give him 100 years of life. I wish that we had this president for 25 years.”
Despite the previous backlash from netizens and political factions who view such remarks as a threat to democratic term limits, Raval doubled down on his stance in Tororo.
He maintained that a conducive environment for business growth and employment creation relies heavily on consistent leadership.
The Tororo project
The remarks were made against the backdrop of a major industrial milestone for the region. The groundbreaking ceremony for the Devki Steel Factory in Osukuru marks a significant expansion of the group’s East African footprint.
The Tororo facility already employs over 400 workers, with ambitious plans to expand the workforce across the group’s East African operations to 20,000 by 2027.
President Ruto and President Museveni both hailed the project as a testament to the power of cross-border investment and regional cooperation.
