Investors from India are expected in Kenya this month to negotiate the revival of Rivatex Factory in Eldoret.

Assistant Minister for Trade and Industry Petkay Miriti said another team from an American company, Progressive Ag. Co. LLC, is currently in Kenya to discuss revival of the factory.

Miriti said the American company made a preliminary visit to Rivatex in August 2001 and expressed interest in reviving it.

Miriti was answering a question by Mosop MP John Sambu (Kanu).

Sambu wanted to know what steps the minister was taking to ensure Rivatex was revived to produce fabrics for sale abroad under the Africa Growth Opportunity Act initiative.

Miriti said the Government planned to sell the firm to an investor. The sale, he said, was advertised in May and June 2002. All bids, however, fell below the asset value of Sh885 million.

He added that during the same year, the matter was revisited and a delegation from Thailand visited Rivatex and expressed willingness to invest in the industry.

Rupa Textile Mills, the current owners of Heritage Woolen Mills (formerly known as Raymonds), have also shown an interest in Rivatex but are yet to make a move.

Sambu urged the Government to back local investors who would wish to buy the factory.