President William Ruto has announced plans to open what he described as Kenya's first iron production plant in Taita Taveta County within the next three weeks as his administration seeks to reduce reliance on imported raw materials.
Speaking on Tuesday, October 27, during the groundbreaking ceremony for a clinker production plant in Ngaaie, Kitui County, Ruto revealed that a local investor was spearheading the project, which will use locally sourced iron ore.
The Head of State said he would personally preside over the launch of the facility, describing it as a major step towards expanding Kenya's manufacturing sector and increasing the use of locally available minerals.
“In the next two to three weeks, I will be in Taita-Taveta with this investor to preside over the launch of a steel manufacturing plant, Kenya's first iron manufacturing plant,” Ruto announced.
Several trucks at a mining site in Kenya
Photo
KP Minerals
He further maintained that the project would allow Kenya to begin producing iron from its own mineral resources rather than depending on imported iron ore to support local industries.
“Forget about importing iron ore from other places, we will now be manufacturing iron from Kenyan soil, for the first time,” the President stated.
At the same time, Ruto pledged to protect investors from political interference, warning individuals and groups against frustrating projects through disputes and other actions that could discourage investment in the country.
The President also raised concerns over political interests interfering with major investment projects, referring to legal disputes involving Nigerian billionaire Aliko Dangote as he defended his administration's efforts to attract investors into Kenya's manufacturing sector.
His remarks come as the government continues to push for local processing of minerals, including in Magadi, Kajiado County, where the future of mining operations has been under discussion following the suspension of mining activities and the exit of Tata Chemicals Magadi.
In September, Ruto announced that the government would re-advertise the Magadi mining contract to allow more investors to compete for rights to exploit the area's mineral resources, ending the arrangement that had previously placed operations under one company.
Speaking at Tuesday's event, Ruto directed the Ministry of Mining to ensure that mining contracts in Magadi are awarded to companies willing to process minerals locally, warning against allowing the export of raw soda ash.
At the same time, the President reiterated his earlier position that the government would open up mining opportunities in Magadi to multiple investors rather than allowing a single company to dominate operations.
Speaking in Kajiado County on September 5, Ruto had indicated that the government could allow up to 10 companies to undertake mining activities in Magadi, with successful bidders required to establish local processing facilities, including glass and chemical manufacturing factories.
Tata Chemicals Magadi Factory located in Kajiado County.
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Tata Chemicals