List Of Largest Cement Companies In Kenya, Their Owners

• The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics noted the construction sector registered a growth of 4.1% in 2022 compared to an increase of 6.7% in 2021
• During the period under review, cement consumption increased from 9.1 million metric tonnes to 9.5 million metric tonnes
• Bamburi Cement Limited is the largest cement manufacturer in Kenya, followed by National Cement Company Ltd, owned by Narendra Raval

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Kenya's cement market is consolidated, with four factories dominating the market share.

Among the factors driving the growth of the cement industry are the demand for housing, foreign investments in the commercial building sector, and significant investments by the government and development partners in massive infrastructure projects.

According to the 2023 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, the construction sector registered a growth of 4.1% in 2022 compared to an increase of 6.7% in 2021.

As a result, cement consumption increased from 9.1 million metric tonnes in 2021 to 9.5 million metric tonnes in 2022.

The top firms include Mombasa Cement Limited, National Cement Company Ltd, Savannah Cement Company, East Africa Portland Cement Company Limited (EAPCC), Bamburi Cement Limited, and Athi River Mining Limited (ARM).

1. Bamburi Cement Limited

A report by Construction Review Kenya showed that Bamburi Cement Limited is the largest cement manufacturer in Kenya, with a market share of 32.6%.

Its website indicates that Felix Mandl founded it in 1951. French firm Lafarge holds a 59.6% stake in Bamburi Cement Ltd. Bamburi Cement’s parent company rebranded to Holcim from LafargeHolcim in 2021.

Other major shareholders are Old Mutual Life Assurance Company, Kenya Reinsurance Corporation and the National Social Security Fund (NSSF).

Bamburi Cement’s annual combined total capacity from its two plants (Nairobi and Mombasa) is 3.2 million tonnes yearly.

2. National Cement Company Ltd

National Cement Company Limited is under the Devki Group and is chaired by billionaire Narendra Raval.

It commenced production and supply of cement in 2010 under the brand name Simba Cement.

Since acquiring ARM Africa PLC, the manufacturer of Rhino Cement, once the third-largest cement company in Kenya, National Cement has seen its market share increase to 21%.

The business mogul unveiled a new KSh 45 billion clinker plant in West Pokot county on April 8.

3. Mombasa Cement

Mombasa Cement Limited (MCL), with an annual capacity of 3.3 million metric tonnes, is one of the top cement producers in East Africa, with a market share of 15.8% in Kenya.

It was founded in 2007 to cater to the increased demand for cement.

MCL produces cement under the Nyumba brand and is owned by philanthropist Hasmukh Patel.

4. East Africa Portland Cement Company

In its early years, in the 1930s, East African Portland Cement imported cement from England for use in construction projects.

Lafarge SA's subsidiaries, Cementia Holdings, Associated International Cement, and Bamburi Cement, control a 41.7% stake in EAPCC.

The government of Kenya owns a 52.3% stake in the company. Its flagship brand is Blue Triangle Cement, which commands a 15.1% market share.

5. Savannah Cement

Established in 2012 in Athi River, Savannah Cement is among Kenya's most recent entries into the cement industry.

The company can produce 1.5 million tonnes of cement annually.

It is the fifth-largest cement manufacturer in the country thanks to its brand, Savannah Cement, which holds a 15% market share.

Daily Nation reported that Savannah Cement Limited was 60% owned by Wanho International and ACME Wanji Investment, while Savannah Heights controlled the remaining 40% before it was placed under receivership.

EAPCC land contested

In other news, East African Portland Cement Company announced it would sell some of its parcels of land in Mavoko, Machakos county.

The company said it would prioritise Kenyans occupying parts of the contested land.

On X social media platform (formerly Twitter), Kenyans wondered why the company intended to sell its land after demolishing houses on it.

A section of netizens suspected mischief and foul play. They claimed land cartels were back in full force.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, a multimedia journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke