Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM), a subsidiary of the Safal Group and a pioneer in Kenya’s steel and roofing industry, has reaffirmed its commitment to uplifting communities with the launch of its 26th showroom in Litein, Bureti Sub-County.
More than a business expansion, the initiative underscores MRM’s growing focus on community empowerment, skills development and social responsibility.
Located along the Kericho-Kisii Highway near Siloam Hospital, the Litein showroom symbolises a strategic return to grassroots engagement, anchoring MRM’s broader efforts to integrate sustainable development into its retail growth.
Speaking to KNA during the launch, MRM Managing Director Albert Sigei described the event as deeply personal and significant.
He said the values of hard work and community he learnt growing up in Litein laid the foundation for his leadership journey, adding that it was a proud moment to bring MRM’s legacy of quality, innovation, and service back to his hometown.
“Today is more than just a business milestone; it’s a homecoming. Litein is where I learnt the values of hard work and community, and it’s an honour to bring MRM’s legacy of quality and innovation back to the people who helped shape me,” he said.
At the heart of the launch is the Youth Installer Training Programme, targeting 40 young men and women from surrounding communities.
The programme equips them with practical roofing installation skills and certifies them for employment in Kenya’s fast-growing construction sector, a direct intervention to tackle youth unemployment.
“Technical skills are vital, and we are training these young people not just to work but to work professionally and with pride. We believe in capacity-building as a direct contribution to reducing youth unemployment,” said Sigei.
The training is part of MRM’s broader CSR strategy, which spans four key pillars: education, shelter, health, and environment.
Through its technical training institute in Mariakani, Mombasa, MRM trains over 1,500 youth annually in automotive, electrical, plumbing, and IT skills.
Its healthcare programmes reach more than 30,000 patients each year through a community medical clinic, demonstrating a tangible commitment to social welfare.
Kericho County Count Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade and Industrialisation, John Cheruiyot, praised the showroom as more than a commercial outlet, saying it represents a strategic partnership with the county to promote economic inclusion.
“MRM’s investment directly aligns with our county government’s agenda to attract sustainable investments that create employment and stimulate trade. By setting up this facility and expanding its community-focused initiatives, MRM is not only driving local commerce but also laying a strong foundation for skills transfer and job creation, particularly among our youth,” he said.
He emphasised that such private-sector partnerships are essential in building inclusive economies, adding that the county government remains committed to supporting investments that uplift local communities.
The Litein showroom also offers hands-on support to local builders and contractors through expert consultations, training opportunities, and interactive product demonstrations.
Customers can access MRM’s full range of steel roofing products, including Lifestyle®, Versatile®, Elegantile®, SAFBUILD®, and ULTRASPAN®, all backed by warranties of up to 50 years.
“This showroom is designed not just to display products but to inspire, educate, and collaborate with you. It’s also a promise to keep innovating, to keep serving, and to leave a mark on Kenya’s infrastructure through shared growth,” said Sigei.
As MRM continues to expand its national presence, the Litein initiative stands out as a powerful example of how industry can anchor itself in community values. It’s a story not just of steel and sales, but of skills, service, and shared prosperity.
By Dominic Cheres
