The local steel industry remains heavily dependent on imported raw materials, as no local sources have been developed to date making the manufacture of steel locally quite expensive. Reducing this high import bill is possible if high quality steel can be produced more cheaply locally.

The government’s strategies to pro-mote the sector include readiness to facilitate investments in commercial exploitation of iron deposits in the country, and setting up a Scrap Metal Council to regulate the scrap metal industry which is important in the sector.

Numerical Machining Complex (NMC) has been identified as a focal point for promoting development of iron and steel industry.

The NMC will be transformed to be able to realize its full potential in supporting the development of iron and steel sector.

Kenya has iron ore reserves in the counties of Taita Taveta, Kitui and Tharaka that can support steel production. The Government has approved a partnership between South Korean steel maker PSCO and NMC to build the integrated steel mill in Machakos County. Limestone as a raw material in for making steel is found in Kitui, Kajiado, and Taita Taveta counties.

The NMC will be transformed to be able to realize its full potential in supporting thedevelopment of iron and steel sector