“History Will Judge You” CS Joho Praises Ruto During Groundbreaking of New Cement Plant in Ngaaie

Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho has praised President William Ruto for promoting mineral processing and industrial development in Kenya, saying his efforts will be remembered by future generations.

Joho made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new cement plant in Ngaaie, Kitui County. He said the project reflects the government’s push to process minerals locally instead of exporting them in their raw form.

According to Joho, the area has an estimated 400 million tonnes of limestone deposits, a resource that could support cement production and create employment opportunities for local communities for decades to come.

He said the government’s emphasis on mineral value addition had initially attracted political criticism, but maintained that processing minerals within Kenya could bring greater economic benefits to the country.

“When the President made a pronouncement on the importance of beneficiation of our minerals in the country, many people attempted to politicise it,” Joho said.

The Cabinet Secretary pointed to mineral development in areas such as Magadi, West Pokot and Taita Taveta, arguing that Kenya has significant resources that can support local industries if they are properly developed.

Joho credited Ruto’s administration with encouraging investors to establish processing facilities in the country. He said the government’s efforts to reduce investment risks had helped attract international partners, including DEFK Group, to projects in the mining sector.

He also highlighted the potential employment benefits of the new cement plant, saying industrial investment could create jobs for Kenyan youth while supporting businesses and economic activity in surrounding communities.

Joho said his ministry remained committed to ensuring that minerals extracted in Kenya undergo processing locally, rather than being exported without significant value addition. He argued that this approach would allow the country to retain more economic benefits from its natural resources.

The Ngaaie project comes amid broader efforts to expand local manufacturing and strengthen the link between Kenya’s mineral resources and industrial production. Cement manufacturing relies on limestone, making the area’s reported deposits an important resource for the proposed facility.

While the project presents potential opportunities for employment and investment, its long-term impact will depend on implementation, the scale of operations and the jobs ultimately created.

Joho concluded by praising Ruto’s focus on mineral processing, saying history would judge the President’s efforts to promote industrial development and ensure that Kenya benefits more from its natural resources.

Watch the full report: https://youtu.be/KQqwxe0Q4Qk