President William Ruto speaking during the signing of a landmark contract for the development of Bamburi Cement’s new clinker production line in Matuga, Kwale County on December 16, 2025. Photo by PCS 
By Andrew Mbuva
President William Ruto on Tuesday presided over the signing of a landmark contract for the development of Bamburi Cement’s new clinker production line in Matuga, Kwale County, describing the project as a strategic boost to Kenya’s industrialisation and economic transformation agenda.
The project, to be undertaken in partnership with China-based SINOMA–CBMI Construction Company Limited, marks a significant investment in Kenya’s cement sector, a critical industry underpinning infrastructure development, housing, energy, transport and manufacturing.
Speaking during the ceremony in Nairobi, President Ruto said the partnership reflects Kenya’s growing integration into global industrial value chains and aligns with the government’s commitment to strengthening local manufacturing capacity.
“This investment will significantly enhance domestic clinker production, reduce reliance on imports, and strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Kenya’s cement industry,” the President said.
He noted that securing clinker production is vital to stabilising the cement value chain and safeguarding the long-term sustainability of the sector, which plays a central role in the country’s development priorities.
President Ruto placed the Bamburi clinker project within the broader framework of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Kenya Vision 2030 and the government’s KSh5 trillion national development roadmap aimed at positioning Kenya as a first-world economy.
Under the ambitious plan, the government is investing heavily in strategic infrastructure, including the dualing of 2,500 kilometres of highways, construction and upgrading of 28,000 kilometres of roads, expansion of rail networks, modernisation of ports and airports, increased energy generation by 10,000 megawatts, and large-scale irrigation through dam construction.
“These investments are designed to unlock productivity across agriculture, manufacturing, housing, transport and services, while attracting global capital and creating millions of decent jobs,” the President said.
He emphasised that the cement industry sits at the heart of this economic vision, noting that every road, dam, power plant and factory depends on a reliable and competitive cement supply.
At the same time, President Ruto acknowledged the environmental impact of cement production, describing the new clinker line as an opportunity to embed cleaner, more efficient and low-carbon technologies in the sector.
“Decarbonisation is not a constraint; it is an opportunity to innovate, reduce costs and attract green investment,” he said, adding that the project supports Kenya’s climate commitments under the Nationally Determined Contributions.
The President also linked the investment to the Affordable Housing Programme, which currently has over 240,000 housing units under construction nationwide and supports more than 480,000 jobs. He said demand generated by the programme is revitalising local industries and strengthening domestic supply chains.
For Kwale County, the Matuga clinker project is expected to create direct and indirect jobs, support skills development, stimulate local enterprises and drive regional economic growth.
President Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting investments that promote value addition, balanced regional industrialisation and sustainable growth, while commending Bamburi Cement and its partners for anchoring the expansion at the Coast.
