President William Ruto has hailed the groundbreaking of the Kaishan Olkaria Geothermal Power and Green Fertiliser Plants in Nakuru County as a historic milestone for Kenya and the African continent, marking the first-ever green ammonia-based fertiliser facility in Africa.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, President Ruto described the $800 million (about Sh104 billion) investment as a bold demonstration of global confidence in Kenya’s economy and a transformative step toward agricultural self-sufficiency.
“This event represents an investment of $800 million, that is close to 100 billion shillings. It demonstrates confidence in the Republic of Kenya and gives us an indication of what investors think about our country,” he said.
He added that the project’s scale and ambition reflect the stability of Kenya’s economy, saying, “When we say we have stabilised our economy, brought inflation under control, and stabilised our exchange rate, this is the result. Investors are now confident enough to put their money in Kenya.”
The President emphasized that the Olkaria facility is the first in Africa to produce fertiliser from green ammonia derived from geothermal energy, a move he termed as a breakthrough for sustainable industrialisation.
“For the first time on African soil, fertiliser will be produced from ammonia that is coming from green energy. This is the first-ever plant in this continent where this is going to happen,” he said. “Today is a testimony that green energy is not only sustainable but can power our energy needs.”
The head of state said the project speaks directly to Kenya’s agricultural heartland and will drastically reduce the nation’s dependency on imported fertiliser.
“For the record, we spend close to 80 billion shillings every year to import fertiliser,” he noted. “These plants will now generate fertiliser using local raw materials, local energy, and local human capital.”
Once operational, the facility will produce 480 metric tons of fertiliser daily, translating to about 9.2 million 50-kilogram bags annually. This, Ruto said, will ensure a steady and affordable supply for farmers while saving Kenya billions in foreign exchange.
“This means farmers will have a reliable supply of fertiliser not affected by global events, whether a war in Europe or logistical disruptions elsewhere,” he said.
The President revealed that the project had faced challenges after initial talks with another investor, FFI, fell through. However, he credited Kaishan’s leadership for stepping in, saying he had personally championed the project for over two years.
“I am very proud. This morning is a great morning for Kenya and for us farmers,” he said. “I look forward to coming here in 2027 to open the plant and to be the first farmer to use fertiliser made from our own resources.”
President Ruto reiterated his administration’s broader vision to transform Kenya into a self-reliant, food-secure, and industrialised nation, highlighting that innovation and strategic foresight will be key.
“This is how we will move Kenya from a third-world country to a first-world nation in our lifetime, by doing innovative work, by being creative, and by having strategic foresight,” he said.
