President William Ruto has launched the construction of a KSh 100 billion KenGen-Kaishan Olkaria Green Fertiliser Plant in Nakuru County, a project expected to transform Kenya’s agriculture and boost food security.
The president said the plant developed in partnership between KenGen and China’s Kaishan Group—will produce over 480,000 tonnes of fertiliser annually, creating 2,000 jobs and cutting the country’s fertiliser import bill by more than KSh 60 billion every year.
“This groundbreaking marks a defining moment for Kenya’s green industrial transformation,” said Ruto during the launch in Naivasha on Monday. “It will empower farmers with affordable, locally produced fertiliser and reinforce our leadership in climate-smart innovation.”
Ruto noted that local manufacturing will stabilise fertiliser prices and protect farmers from global market shocks. Kenya has reduced fertiliser imports for the second consecutive year, following record shipments in 2023 under the government subsidy program.
Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows Kenya imported 443,701 tonnes of fertiliser worth KSh 25.6 billion between January and June 2025slightly lower than 445,857 tonnes valued at KSh 27.7 billion during the same period in 2024.
“Every shipment we import is an expense to our coffers and a missed opportunity for our people,” Ruto said, adding that the Nakuru plant represents “a major step toward resilience and self-sufficiency in agriculture.”
The president also reminded Kenyans of his administration’s efforts to lower fertiliser prices from KSh 7,500 to KSh 2,500 per 50kg bag in 2023, saying the move has eased the burden on farmers and reduced the cost of food production.
He said the government doubled fertiliser allocations from four million bags in 2023 to eight million in 2024, underscoring the State’s commitment to support smallholder farmers and enhance productivity.
“This investment is not just about fertiliser it is about jobs, sustainability, and dignity for our farmers,” Ruto stated.
The Olkaria Green Fertiliser Plant aligns with Kenya’s green industrial agenda, leveraging geothermal power to manufacture environmentally friendly ammonia-based fertiliser. The project is also expected to position Kenya as a regional hub for sustainable agricultural production.
