Marble Value Chain

The project involves developing and equipping 2 quarries (in Sebit and in Koitilial areas) and a marble processing factory in Eldoret. Marble boulders shall be mined and transported from the quarries to the factory in Eldoret for processing into finished product. During the last 5 years, Kenya has experience rapid growth in the construction industry particularly for residential and commercial structures. The need for new technology in the building industry has increased the market demand for decorative marble stone. Stone marble which has been used in these buildings have been imported from elsewhere because the existing marble resources have not been exploited. There are few buildings with marble finish which include KVDA Plaza in Eldoret. At the moment, most new commercial buildings are increasingly utilizing marble as facing stone and for interior decoration. As a result of their uniqueness, the demand for marble has increased. Exploitation of the existing abundant marble resource in the North Rift area shall ensure adequate supply of attractive stones for the construction industry. The marble with its range of pleasant colours will offer an extended variety for the Kenyan market and scope for export. Marble is highly valued and widely used resource in both developing and developed world. In Kenya for instance, there is an increasing demand for the mineral resource in the construction industry which continues to grow at a rate of 10% annually. Kenya is a rapidly developing country as evidenced by the rapid development of urban centers and elevation of cities in the recent past. Over 30% of the current commercial buildings in the urban centres/cities use marble finishing as this gives them a unique look among other features. The Koitilial marble with abundant sources of suitable rock can produce beautiful material in a variety of colours and shades that would compete in the market for ornamental dimension stone.

High