Kenya’s President William Ruto has broken ground for a new Devki clinker and cement plant in Ngaaie, Mwingi North, Kitui County.
Cost of the Facility
The clinker and cement plant will cost Ksh.70 billion. Furthermore, it is slated to be Kitui County’s first cement manufacturing facility. According to President Ruto, the investment will help transform the region’s limestone deposits into economic opportunities for residents.
Significance of Local Clinker Production to Kenya
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, October 27, Ruto stated that local clinker production would extensively cut reliance on imports, create jobs and strengthen Kenya’s 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.
Why was Kitui Selected for the Facility?
Additionally, Devki Group Executive Chairman Narendra Raval stated that the company had been planning to establish the plant for about 10 years. Nerandra cited the limestone deposits in Ngaaie as a key reason for choosing the area.
“We started dreaming of putting up this plant about 10 years ago. This was tried before by cabro and cement companies to establish a cement plant in Ngaaie because of the deposits we have of limestone in Ngaaie,” Raval stated.
Raval recalled paying a visit to the area when it was largely covered by bush and had few roads. He stated that the lack of employment opportunities had contributed to social challenges among young people.
“I used to come here when it was totally msituni. I used to walk and there were no roads,” he said.
The Facilityto be a Source of Livelihood for Local Residents
According to the Devki chairman, the plant would provide an opportunity to improve livelihoods in the area by creating employment and supporting economic activity.
Also, Ruto stated the government introduced the Export and Investment Promotion Levy on imported clinker in 2023 to encourage domestic production and support investment in local manufacturing.
He noted that Devki’s clinker plant in Sebit, West Pokot, which he commissioned in April 2024, has a production capacity of 6,000 tonnes per day.
Ground Breaking for Bamburi Cement’s Expansion in Matuga Unveiled
The President also revealed plans to break ground for Bamburi Cement’s expansion in Matuga, Kwale County. The ground breaking is slated for about three weeks. The project will include a new clinker production plant with a capacity of 5,000 tonnes per day.
Kenya’s Cement Production Increases
Ruto said Kenya’s cement production rose by 18 per cent, from 8.85 million tonnes in 2024 to 10.44 million tonnes in 2025. Production reached 7.62 million tonnes in the first eight months of 2026, up from 6.68 million tonnes during the same period last year.
Additionally, he said that construction of the proposed Dangote refinery in Lamu was expected to require more than two million tonnes of cement. This would create further demand for locally manufactured materials.
Project Factsheet: Devki Clinker and Cement Plant
Project Name: Devki Clinker and Cement Plant
Location: Ngaaie, Mwingi North, Kitui County, Kenya
Developer: Devki Group of Companies
Estimated Investment: Ksh.70 billion
Project Status: Groundbroken / Under Construction (as of October 27, 2026)
Primary Raw Material: Local Ngaaie limestone deposits
Key Objectives:
- Establish Kitui County’s first cement manufacturing plant.
- Localize clinker production to reduce reliance on imports and retain economic value in Kenya.
- Provide employment opportunities and spur economic activity for local youth.
Project Team
Project Owner / Lead Developer: Devki Group of Companies (operating through its subsidiary, National Cement Company Limited)
Public Sector and Institutional Stakeholders:
- Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (Government of Kenya)
- Ministry of Labour and Social Protection (represented by Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua)
- County Government of Kitui
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