Pan Paper to employ hundreds, Governor Lusaka

Pan Paper Mills is set to employ 1,500 workers once the production plant resumes business.

Bungoma Governor, Ken Lusaka, now says the county is working with the new investors to ensure past employees get first priority in the recruitment exercise.

“This time round things are different, the approach is different, it’s a private investor who has done a similar project elsewhere,” noted Lusaka.

“What is most important is that it will spur the economy of this area which had completely collapsed.”

The governor also dismissed reports that the milling plant was being used as a 2017 campaign tool.

On his part, Pan Paper General Manager, Y. V Choudray, said few expatriates will also be hired to work at the mill to ensure it meets international standards to operate efficiently.

Pan Paper shut down operations in 2009 following heavy debts and inability to operate efficiently due to obsolete technology.

Tarlochan Limited, a subsidiary of the Rai Group, acquired the paper mill for Ksh 900 million in April with plans to inject an additional Ksh 6 billion over the next five years.

Among the outstanding debts by Pan Paper was Ksh 150 million owed to Kenya Power, forcing the utility firm to disconnect the mill’s power supply.