President William Ruto has announced that a new investor is ready to establish a major cement project in Kitui County, reviving plans for an industrial investment that had stalled seven years ago.
Ruto said the investor had already been secured and disclosed that he plans to travel to Kitui in November 2026 to officially launch the construction works.
Speaking during a media engagement at State House in Mombasa on Thursday, October 1, Ruto placed the value of the planned project at KSh33 billion. He did not disclose the identity of the new investor.
The President linked the new investment to an earlier proposal involving Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote, who had previously been lined up to establish a cement factory in Kitui.
Ruto said Dangote had been expected to undertake the project about six years ago but the plan did not proceed after the businessman was subjected to conditions that included giving up shares.
The President said the experience showed the need for Kenya to create a more predictable environment for investors looking to establish businesses and create employment.
“Lile jambo la Kitui, tayari nimeshapata mwekezaji mwingine na yuko tayari,” Ruto said, adding that he would visit Kitui the following month to launch the KSh33 billion construction project.
Kitui has long attracted interest from investors because of its limestone deposits, which can support cement and clinker production. Dangote had previously explored the area as part of plans to establish a cement manufacturing facility, but the proposed investment never materialised.
Ruto’s latest announcement therefore brings renewed attention to the county’s potential as a centre for cement manufacturing and other industrial activities.
The President said the government should take greater responsibility in facilitating major investments, including helping investors deal with land, infrastructure and other requirements needed before projects can begin.
He argued that investors should be offered incentives and an environment that enables them to establish productive businesses rather than being subjected to demands that could discourage investment.
Ruto’s remarks came a day after Dangote broke ground for a separate KSh2.2 trillion petroleum refinery project in Lamu County. The refinery is expected to have a processing capacity of 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day once completed.
The President’s comments also followed remarks by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who recently revisited Dangote’s earlier attempt to establish a cement factory in Kitui.
Kalonzo said he had followed the proposed investment when Ruto was serving as Deputy President and claimed that Dangote’s plans had faced difficulties during the Jubilee administration. He also said he supported foreign direct investment while calling for established procedures to be followed.
For Kitui, attention now shifts to the proposed November launch, when Ruto says he will travel to the county to formally begin the new cement project.
The President has not yet revealed the name of the investor, the factory’s planned production capacity or the expected completion date. Those details are likely to become clearer as the project moves towards its formal launch.