Governor Ottichilo sets in motion plans to construct Sh2.5 billion granite plant

The proposed site of granite factory at Emwatsi village, Luanda constituency. [Benjamin Sakwa,Standard]

Plans by Vihiga County government to construct a Sh2.5 billion granite processing plant in Ebuyangu, West Bunyore Ward, Emuhaya sub-county, are at an advanced stage.

The project is expected to boost the local economy and create job opportunities for the residents.

Governor Wilber Ottichilo alongside his deputy Wilberforce Kitiezo, hosted Mining Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi, during the site handover ceremony on Friday.

Others present were Vihiga Woman Representative Beatrice Adagala, Members of the County Assembly, and senior national and county government officials.

Ottichilo expressed gratitude to the national government and the State Department for Mining for securing a strategic investor and awarding Equip Agencies Limited the tender for the project.

"The establishment of the Vihiga Granite Processing Plant is a significant milestone for our county. It will create employment opportunities for hundreds of local residents, increase the value of locally sourced minerals, and provide a ready market for granite excavated by our artisanal miners," he said.

PS Mwangi highlighted the immense potential of Vihiga's granite deposits.

"Preliminary geological data indicates that Vihiga county has significant granite deposits covering over 250 square kilometres, which translates to a resource of slightly over 60,000 acres, or approximately 50 trillion tonnes," he said.

"This plant is a part of the government's policy to establish Kenya-based value addition and mineral processing centres, which will revolutionise the local mining sector," he added.

The construction of the granite plant is expected to be completed by July 2025.

Once operational, the facility will create 500 direct jobs and thousands more indirectly.

It aims to meet the local demand for granite products and supply markets in East and Central Africa, potentially saving the country billions of shillings annually spent on importing granite products.

"This granite plant is the third multi-billion-shilling value-addition facility the government has established in just two months," Mwangi said, citing other projects, including a Sh5.8 billion gold refinery and a Sh4.8 billion fluorspar processing plant.

"We are committed to driving the value addition agenda to bolster job creation, promote local enterprises, and support community development."

Granite is a critical mineral in the construction industry, used in the production of kitchen countertops, tiles, terrazzo, mantlepieces, monuments and in road and building construction.

Vihiga Women Rep said: "This plant will transform the socio-economic lives of thousands of residents in the region. It is a testament to our commitment to sustainable development and improving the livelihoods of our people."

Governor Ottichilo said the plant has potential to attract more investments and spur economic growth.

"With the establishment of this plant, we are not only creating jobs but also laying the foundation for a robust industrial base in Vihiga. This is a significant step towards achieving our vision of a prosperous and self-reliant county," he said.

Mwangi said the Vihiga Granite Processing Plant is part of a broader government initiative to enhance value addition in the mining sector across Kenya.