President William Ruto has called on Kenya’s cement industry to stop relying on imported materials, stressing that the country has all the resources needed to produce cement locally.
Speaking during the signing of the Matuga Clinker Line contract in Nairobi County on Tuesday, Ruto questioned why Kenya continues to spend billions on what he described as “just stones,” even though the country has abundant limestone and other raw materials.
“It is not possible for Kenya to keep importing cement. I encourage all the players that we have limestone and all the raw materials necessary for the production of cement here in Kenya,” he said.
The president described it as illogical for Kenya to import materials that exist in plenty within its borders.
“Somebody needs to explain to me why we need to import stones. What is limestone? It’s just stones. How can we spend our money to import stones from another country when we have our own stones?” he added.
Ruto emphasised that reducing import dependence in sectors like cement, steel, and energy would save foreign exchange, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth.
“All we need to do is to burn them and create cement. I am not persuaded by anything to accept that,” he stated.
The president said Kenya’s focus must shift toward industrial self-sufficiency through better resource use, innovation, and strategic partnerships.
He noted that the new clinker line is part of a broader effort to make Kenya a regional leader in cement production and infrastructure development.
Kenya has rich limestone deposits in areas like Kilifi, Kitui, and Taita Taveta, but many manufacturers still import clinker due to limited local production capacity. This reliance increases costs and leaves the industry vulnerable to international price fluctuations.
Boosting local production would reduce costs, stabilise supply, and support Kenya’s industrial growth, aligning with regional efforts under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to strengthen domestic manufacturing.
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