DEVKI’s Narendra Raval Sparks Fresh Debate After Calling for 20-Year Ruto Presidency

DEVKI Group founder Narendra Raval has ignited fresh debate after again proposing that President William Ruto should lead Kenya for 20 years.

Raval spoke on Sunday during the groundbreaking of the Devki Steel Factory in Tororo District, Uganda. He praised President Ruto’s leadership, saying the Head of State had stabilised the economy and attracted new investment.

He said the country needed continuity to sustain the gains made so far.
“Although the Constitution does not allow it, I will say you should be there for 20 years. I was heavily criticised the last time, but if we want to cut unemployment, we need this,” he said.

Raval credited the President for lowering inflation from about 9–10 per cent to around 4 per cent. He added that the achievement came from good advice and timely decisions, not luck.

“A leader is not an expert in everything, but he hires experts and acts at the right time,” he said. “Foreign direct investment has tripled in three years. Congratulations!”

He said the government relied on experienced teams to stabilise the economy and control inflation.

This is not the first time Raval has made such remarks.
In 2022, during the launch of a Devki plant in Kwale, he said Kenya needed President Ruto for “25 years” and wished him “100 years of life.” Those comments also drew sharp criticism from several groups.

On Sunday, he said the current administration had created a friendly climate for investment and business growth. He urged Kenyans to recognise the impact of ongoing economic reforms and argued that steady leadership would boost job creation.

President Ruto attended the Tororo event alongside Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni.
The Devki factory already employs more than 400 workers. The company plans to raise the figure to 20,000 across East Africa by 2027.