President Ruto Secures New Investor for Ksh33 Billion Cement Factory in Kitui as Kenya Pivots on Investment Strategy
President William Ruto has announced a major breakthrough in Kenya’s push to attract foreign investment, revealing that the government has successfully secured a new investor to establish a Ksh33 billion cement factory in Kitui County. The announcement comes as a significant turnaround for the region, which had previously seen billionaire Aliko Dangote’s ambitious cement processing plans fall through years earlier.
Speaking during a media engagement in Mombasa on Thursday night, October 1st, the President expressed optimism about the timeline for the project. He revealed that the investor is already on the ground and that he would be making a personal visit to Kitui in November to officially launch construction activities. This marks a notable shift in Kenya’s investment climate, particularly in the manufacturing and industrial sectors.
The President’s comments reflected a sense of frustration with the past, particularly regarding Dangote’s abandoned investment. Ruto pointed out that the new factory could have been operational years ago if Dangote had been permitted to proceed with his original proposal. Instead, the Nigerian billionaire chose to redirect his resources to Tanzania, leaving Kenya to miss out on both the economic benefits and employment opportunities that such a massive investment would have created.
Ruto painted a picture of his administration’s determined efforts to make Kenya an attractive destination for global investors. He recalled how, during his time as Deputy President, he had taken Dangote to meet with former President Uhuru Kenyatta in a bid to facilitate the investment. However, despite these efforts, the project never materialised, and Dangote took his billions elsewhere. This time around, Ruto appears determined to ensure that history does not repeat itself.
Beyond the cement factory, the President also defended the government’s push for the Ksh2 trillion East African Oil Refinery project in Lamu County. He dismissed concerns about land and resident displacement, insisting that the land earmarked for the refinery is government property. According to Ruto, any claims by residents would be handled by the government rather than the investor, effectively removing this concern from the negotiating table and providing assurances to potential partners.
The President’s rhetoric on investment attraction reflected a broader acknowledgment that Kenya has faced challenges in competing for major foreign direct investment. He was candid about the obstacles that have hindered previous attempts, specifically citing excessive demands for shares in projects and requests for bribes as deterrents that have scared away potential investors. The government, he said, is now working to create an environment where such demands are minimised, allowing investors to focus on their projects while still ensuring that Kenyans benefit through job creation and economic opportunities.
This new cement factory represents more than just another industrial project for Kitui. It signals the government’s commitment to decentralising investment away from traditional business hubs and into Kenya’s interior regions. For a county that has historically struggled with economic development, the prospect of a Ksh33 billion manufacturing facility is a considerable boost to local employment prospects and economic activity.
As the nation watches to see if this investment comes to fruition, many are hopeful that the President’s promised November visit to Kitui will indeed mark the beginning of a new era of successful foreign investment in Kenya. The success of this project could set the tone for future investments and send a powerful message to the international business community that Kenya is serious about creating a favourable investment climate.
