President William Ruto has wound up his four-day development tour of Ukambani with the groundbreaking of a KSh70 billion cement and clinker factory in Ngaaie, Mwingi North, Kitui County.
The project, being developed by Devki Group, is expected to boost local cement production, create jobs and increase the economic value of limestone deposits in the region.
Ruto presided over the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, October 27, alongside Devki Group Executive Chairman Narendra Raval and other government officials.
Speaking during the event, the President said the investment would help transform local mineral resources into economic opportunities for residents.
“The value of the limestone beneath our feet must be felt in the lives of the families who live above it,” Ruto said.
He urged the company to prioritise local employment, skills development and opportunities for businesses supplying goods and services to the factory.
Ruto also warned individuals accused of demanding bribes or shares from investors, saying the government would protect businesses from extortion and interference.
“I want to assure all our investors, foreign and local, that the government of Kenya will provide an environment conducive to their investment,” he said.
The factory is expected to create thousands of jobs and strengthen Kenya’s domestic cement manufacturing capacity. Ruto had earlier said the project would create about 4,000 employment opportunities.
The President’s final-day engagements also included the launch of a last-mile electricity connectivity project in Masinga, Machakos County, alongside road projects aimed at improving transport and access to markets.
During the four-day tour, which began on Saturday, October 24, Ruto visited Machakos, Makueni and Kitui counties, where he commissioned and launched projects covering water supply, roads, housing, electricity and technical education.
In Machakos, he commissioned the second phase of the Mwala Cluster Last Mile Water Supply Project, which is expected to benefit about 120,000 residents across several areas.
In Kitui, he launched construction of the 55-kilometre Twimiwa-Tseikuru-Usweni road, a KSh5 billion project intended to improve connectivity in northern parts of the county.
The President also launched construction of student hostels at Tseikuru National Polytechnic. The KSh145 million project is expected to provide accommodation for 340 students.
Other engagements included the issuance of title deeds and the launch of additional road and electricity connectivity projects in parts of the region.
The tour comes as the government seeks to expand infrastructure and attract investment across the country. Ukambani has also emerged as an important political battleground ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Ruto seeking support in a region where Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has maintained a strong political base.
The cement factory will now face the task of moving from groundbreaking to construction, with its eventual impact depending on delivery of the project, employment opportunities and benefits to surrounding communities.
