President William Ruto has broken ground on a KSh70 billion cement and clinker manufacturing plant in Ngaaie, Mwingi North, Kitui County.
The facility, being developed by Devki Group through National Cement Company, will tap into the region’s abundant limestone deposits to produce key materials for the construction industry.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, October 27, Ruto said local clinker production would help Kenya retain more value from its mineral resources while strengthening industrial capacity.
“By producing clinker locally, we retain more value within our economy, create skilled jobs, build technical expertise, strengthen our industrial capacity, and create wealth in Kenya,” he said.
Job Opportunities
The investment is expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs during construction, while opening opportunities for local traders, transporters, suppliers and other businesses. It will also add to domestic cement production capacity and could reduce reliance on imported clinker.
Devki Group Executive Chairman Narendra Raval said the company had considered establishing a plant in Ngaaie for about a decade, attracted by the area’s limestone resources and potential to support industrial development.
Part of Devki’s Wider Manufacturing Expansion
The Kitui investment builds on Devki’s existing footprint in Kenya’s cement and construction-materials industries. Through National Cement, the group manufactures Simba Cement, while its Cemtech plant in Sebit, West Pokot, produces clinker.
The group also operates Devki Steel Mills, Maisha Mabati Mills, which manufactures roofing sheets, and businesses producing packaging materials and fertilisers.
The expansion comes as the government seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on imported industrial inputs and create employment through private investment.
For Kitui, the immediate focus will be turning the region’s limestone resources into jobs and business opportunities, while ensuring that local communities benefit from the project.