President William Ruto has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening local cement production, saying it is critical to delivering Kenya’s ambitious infrastructure and economic transformation agenda. The President spoke in Nairobi while witnessing the signing of a Sh32 billion ($250 million) agreement for the construction of a new clinker manufacturing plant in Matuga, Kwale County. The project is expected to significantly boost Kenya’s capacity to produce cement locally and reduce reliance on imports.
Major Investment in Local Manufacturing
The clinker plant will be developed by Bamburi Cement Plc, now owned by Tanzanian-based Amsons Group, in partnership with SINOMA-CBMI Construction Company Limited. Once completed, the facility will play a central role in securing the country’s cement supply chain. President Ruto said the investment supports the government’s long-term development strategy, which requires nearly Sh5 trillion to drive national infrastructure growth and position Kenya as a self-sustaining economy.
Strengthening clinker production is essential to protecting the cement value chain and ensuring the industry remains competitive for the long term
President Ruto Jobs and Local Economic Growth
Beyond boosting industrial capacity, the project is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs during the two-year construction phase and in subsequent operations. The development is also projected to stimulate trade, enterprise, and skills development in Kwale and the wider coastal region. Among those present at the signing ceremony were Trade and Investments Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, Amsons Group co-founder and Managing Director Edha Nahdi, Bamburi Cement Chairman Paul Simba, KCB Group CEO Paul Russo, as well as Principal Secretaries and other industry leaders.
Ending Dependence on Cement Imports
President Ruto emphasised that locally produced cement is at the core of the government’s vision to elevate Kenya into the ranks of developed nations within a generation. He questioned the continued importation of cement and clinker, noting that Kenya has abundant limestone and other raw materials required for production.
Billions Invested in New Clinker Capacity
According to the President, cement manufacturers have invested more than $700 million (about Sh91 billion) in clinker production facilities across the country over the last three years. These include the Sh45 billion Cemtech plant launched in 2023, the new Matuga facility in Kwale, and another Sh40 billion Cemtech clinker plant in Kitui County, which is expected to be commissioned in early 2026.
Infrastructure Drive Fuelling Demand
President Ruto urged private investors to align with the government’s large-scale development agenda by expanding production capacity in key sectors such as cement and steel. He noted that national projects, including the Affordable Housing Programme, construction of 50 mega dams for irrigation and power generation, dualling of 2,300 kilometres of highways, and tarmacking of 28,000 kilometres of roads, will continue to generate strong demand for construction materials.
Our development strategy is anchored on modern infrastructure, affordable and reliable energy, and expanded irrigation to unlock productivity across agriculture, manufacturing, housing, transport, and services
President RutoThe President reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting private sector participation in infrastructure and public utilities, adding that policies are continuously being reviewed to remove regulatory and operational barriers. He said partnerships between government and industry are key to accelerating Kenya’s journey towards industrialisation and economic independence.
