After Dangote’s Exit, New Cement Factory Brings Hope to Kitui

Kitui County is moving closer to becoming a major industrial centre following the construction of a multibillion-shilling cement and clinker factory in Ngaaie, Mwingi North, years after Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote failed to establish a similar project in the area.

The new investment by Devki Group, led by businessman Narendra Raval, is expected to transform the limestone-rich hills of Kitui into a major source of employment and economic growth.

President William Ruto officially broke ground for the factory on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, marking a major milestone for the project. The investment has been reported at Sh70 billion, although earlier reports placed its value at between Sh50 billion and Sh55 billion.

Dangote had previously expressed interest in establishing a cement factory in Kitui, a county with large deposits of limestone, a key raw material used in cement manufacturing. However, the project never materialised.

President Ruto has attributed the failure of Dangote’s proposed investment to difficulties encountered under the previous administration. He said the Nigerian billionaire eventually chose to invest in Tanzania instead.

More than a decade later, Devki Group is now moving ahead with its own industrial project in Ngaaie, an area that has long attracted interest because of its mineral resources.

According to reports, construction began in March 2026, with the company expecting the plant to begin operations in mid-2027. The facility is expected to become Kitui’s first cement manufacturing plant.

The project is already creating economic opportunities for residents. Traders, food vendors, transport operators and other small businesses are benefiting from the arrival of construction workers.

Local residents have also reported rising land prices as demand for property and accommodation increases around the construction site.

Once completed, the factory is expected to provide thousands of employment opportunities, including jobs in production, transport and other supporting services.

The investment could also benefit Kenya’s construction sector by increasing local production of clinker, the main ingredient used in cement manufacturing, and reducing reliance on imports.

However, the long-term success of the project will depend on how effectively the investment benefits local communities, creates lasting jobs and supports businesses beyond the construction period.

For residents of Kitui, the new factory offers fresh hope that the county’s limestone wealth can finally translate into meaningful economic development.

Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1EZ3Hewtvm/

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