Current Prices of Key Construction Materials in Kenya (Cement, Steel, Sand, Stone & Timber)

Builders planning a home in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos and nearby counties need more than a single “price per bag” or “price per truck” to budget well. The same material can be quoted at different grades, sizes, packaging, quantity and delivery terms; a cheap ex-yard price may cost more once transport, loading, offloading, VAT and site access are counted. This guide records publicly displayed supplier and market-guide prices checked on 16 October 2026, and preserves each source’s own date where available.

Important: this is a dated benchmark snapshot, not a binding quotation, national price control or assurance of stock. Several online rates are undated, and some dated figures are from 2025 or earlier. We label them as such instead of presenting them as freshly confirmed 2026 rates. Before ordering, request a written, same-day quote for the exact product and delivery address.

Quick benchmark: what the pages displayed

The figures above are useful for framing questions, not ranking suppliers. For example, a KSh 550 bag and a KSh 950 bag cannot be compared safely until grade, stock date, order quantity, VAT and delivered-to-site cost match. Likewise, a per-tonne aggregate rate cannot be compared directly to a delivered 18-tonne lorry without retaining freight and loading terms.

Cement prices in Kenya: compare the class on the bag

Public listings checked for this guide show Simba 32.5R at KSh 550 per 50kg bag on a Nairobi supplier catalogue and KSh 950 sale price at Randtech in Ruiru. The same Nairobi catalogue lists Simba Power 42.5N at KSh 680. A&D Store in Ruiru lists Nguvu CEM IV/B(P) 32,5R at KSh 865 per 50kg bag, and states that free delivery applies only to orders above KSh 500,000. These are undated page prices checked 16 October 2026; each vendor must confirm live stock, the reason for the price difference, invoice terms and the site delivery charge.

For a broader but older comparison, MjengoAI’s table updated in June 2025 gave Nairobi ranges per 50kg bag: Bamburi KSh 730–820, Savannah KSh 700–790, Simba KSh 690–770, Mombasa KSh 700–780 and East African Portland Cement (EAPC) KSh 710–800. It reported regional indicative ranges including Mombasa KSh 690–800, Kisumu KSh 720–850, Nakuru KSh 710–830, Meru/Embu KSh 730–870, Eldoret KSh 720–850, Thika KSh 700–800 and Garissa/NFD KSh 850–1,100. Treat these as June 2025 market guidance, not October 2026 supplier quotes; the page itself says location, quantity and delivery affect final prices.

Strength class matters as much as brand. In the EAPC product descriptions, Blue Triangle 32.5N PPC is presented for general residential/commercial work such as plaster, mortar and blockwork, while Blue Triangle 42.5N OPC is presented for structural or higher-strength concrete applications. Those are manufacturer-specific product descriptions, not a rule to replace the engineer’s concrete mix or specification. The 32.5/42.5 class and N/R notation identify declared cement properties; select the class specified for the work, rather than assuming the higher number is automatically better or that two different cement types are interchangeable.

Before paying, check that bags are sealed, dry and correctly labeled; confirm the exact product, 50kg packaging, batch and price on the invoice. KEBS states that the Standardization Mark is mandatory for locally manufactured products under the Standards Act and that the label should display the mark logo and permit number. Read the KEBS Marks of Quality guidance and verify the permit where necessary. For current prices, compare the Nairobi supplier catalogue, Randtech’s Simba listing and A&D Store’s Nguvu listing with a dated quote from your preferred brand distributor.

Steel rod prices in Kenya: size, length and grade must match

A dated reference is more useful than a current-looking price card with no bar length. Construction Kenya’s guide, whose table labels prices September 2025 and whose page was updated on 1 January 2026, gives Nairobi average rates per 12m/40ft ribbed bar: D8 KSh 605, D10 KSh 920, D12 KSh 1,335 and D16 KSh 2,325. These are historical guide averages, not a same-day quotation and not tied in the table to a specific mill, grade, VAT treatment or delivery address.

Wajenzi’s Nairobi listing, checked on 16 October 2026, displays product-card amounts of KSh 565 for D8, KSh 870 for D10, KSh 1,220 for D12 and KSh 2,230 for D16; the page explicitly says VAT is excluded. Its on-page calculator shows different amounts—KSh 520, 770, 1,140 and 2,070 respectively—and the product text does not state bar length or grade. That internal conflict makes it a quote lead, not a reliable price range. Ask the seller to confirm in writing which rate applies, the product’s brand and grade, bar length, VAT, transport and offloading before using it in a BOQ.

For a like-for-like comparison, ask for the price per 12m bar delivered to your named site, and separately record the price per tonne if offered. Manufacturer and supplier technical pages give nominal masses for 12m bars of approximately D8 4.74kg, D10 7.40kg, D12 10.66kg and D16 18.96kg. The KEBS Webstore lists KS EAS 412-2:2022 for ribbed reinforcing bars. Match the engineer’s specified diameter, steel grade and standard; check the mill mark and request the relevant batch test certificate or evidence of conformity. Do not select reinforcement by colour, price or diameter alone—its grade and design use matter.

Useful references include Construction Kenya’s dated price guide, Wajenzi’s product listing, Abyssinia’s TMT bar dimensions and nominal masses, Qualitas’s bar sizes and quote-only offer and the KEBS standards catalogue.

Sand and aggregates: keep the material and delivery unit clear

“Sand” is not one product. River sand is natural fine aggregate; manufactured or rock sand is crushed material; quarry dust (also called vumbi) is a fine quarry by-product; ballast or kokoto is coarse crushed stone. A Kilimambogo listing on JengaHub shows per-tonne ranges of KSh 1,500–2,500 for river sand, KSh 1,000–1,800 for quarry dust and KSh 2,200–3,500 for ballast. The rates are undated and were checked on 16 October 2026. The source describes delivery separately, so do not treat those material prices as delivered totals.

Beyond Forest’s displayed Nairobi-area 2026 estimate gives river sand at KSh 33,000–41,000 per 18-tonne lorry delivered around Nairobi and neighbouring counties. Its ballast guide shows KSh 18,000–20,000 per 18-tonne tipper at the quarry before transport and KSh 27,000–33,000 delivered around Nairobi, with destination-specific differences. Moran Aggregate lists 10–14mm ballast at KSh 27,000–40,000 per 18-tonne lorry in the Nairobi region; its page does not state the update date. Those figures are not interchangeable with JengaHub’s per-tonne material rates. Lorry estimates may use different payloads, locations, loading arrangements and haul distances, and the websites generally do not state VAT or offloading.

When requesting a quote, specify river sand, manufactured sand or quarry dust separately; for ballast, state the size in millimetres, for example 10–14mm or 14–20mm, as set out by the designer. Ask for a price per tonne or the stated truck capacity and a separate total delivered to the site. For truckloads, record the truck registration, stated payload, source, delivery note and, where applicable, weighbridge ticket. A “lorry” is not a universal quantity: body size, heaping, moisture and access can alter what reaches the site.

Use aggregates that meet the project specification and mix design. Kenya’s standards catalogue includes KS 02–95 for natural aggregates for concrete and KS 1238 aggregate test methods such as particle-size distribution and other quality tests. Manufactured sand or quarry dust should not simply be substituted for natural sand in structural concrete because it is cheaper; ask the engineer for the approved mix and test evidence. Review JengaHub’s Kilimambogo listing, Beyond Forest’s river-sand estimates, its ballast price guide and Moran’s ballast specifications, then get a current destination-specific quote.

Ndarugo machine-cut stones: compare dimensions and delivery

Stone prices are usually quoted per piece, but size notation and delivery can make comparisons misleading. An Ascar Hardware page lists Grade One machine-cut stone, 6x9, at KSh 25 per piece; a PigiaMe seller in Matiliku lists Grade 1 machine-cut 6x9 at KSh 60 and 9x9 at KSh 70 each. Neither listing states a price date, so these are page prices checked on 16 October 2026—not confirmed offers or a countywide price band. The PigiaMe seller says transport is extra and depends on distance and capacity.

A Ndarugo supplier blog dated 15 February 2023 listed KSh 21 per 6-inch stone and KSh 24 per 9-inch stone, with transport potentially additional. Those are historical rates and should not be used as a 2026 budget. The supplier’s current calculator asks for a ward and states that its result includes transport, but the fetched page exposed no numeric output. Its method is useful: ask for a delivered price to the actual ward, not an assumed universal quarry rate.

Before comparing, clarify whether “6-inch” or “9-inch” refers to wall thickness, and whether the supplier’s 6x9 or 9x9 dimensions refer to a nominal stone size. State grade, dimensions, colour if relevant, number of pieces, truck capacity, loading, haulage, offloading and whether the price is quarry pickup or site delivery. One supplier blog gives typical maximum loads of about 1,000 6-inch stones or 700 9-inch stones, but truck capacity varies—verify the actual vehicle. Ask for a sample and confirm dimensional consistency, soundness and suitability with the designer. KEBS lists KS 2023:2009 for natural stone masonry units and KS 967:1994 recommendations on stone dimensions and workmanship; consult the applicable standard and project specification. See Ascar’s Grade One listing, the Matiliku marketplace listing and the Ndarugo ward calculator.

Timber prices: section size is only one part of the specification

Nairobi Timber’s current-looking online price table, with no displayed update date, lists cypress by linear foot: 2x2 at KSh 23, 3x2 at KSh 34, 4x2 at KSh 45, 6x1 at KSh 44, 6x2 at KSh 66, 8x1 at KSh 75, 10x1 at KSh 115, and facial boards at 8x1 KSh 80 and 10x1 KSh 120. The business is located off Eastern Bypass in Nairobi and says it delivers countrywide, but does not specify whether transport or VAT is included. Randtech in Ruiru lists “Roofing Cypress Timber 4x2” at KSh 53 sale, KSh 55 regular, without stating its unit or standard length. Do not compare that amount against a per-foot rate until the seller confirms the basis.

For roofing or structural timber, request the species, intended use, grade, nominal and actual finished dimensions, length, straightness, moisture condition and treatment details. A price for untreated or wet timber is not equivalent to one for dry, graded and treated stock. Ask the supplier to describe the preservative treatment and provide evidence where the specification requires it; do not rely on the word “treated” alone. KEBS lists KS 17:1986 for sawn timber and KS EAS 324:2024 for CCA timber-treatment methods. Those standards are reference points, not proof that a particular listed product complies. Have the designer specify the required member sizes and treatment, then compare suppliers on the same dimensions and delivery basis. See Nairobi Timber’s price table and Randtech’s 4x2 product page.

Why Nairobi and neighbouring-county prices differ

Nairobi and Ruiru listings are useful starting points, but they do not automatically set the delivered price in Thika, Juja, Kiambu, Machakos, Kitengela, Kajiado, Naivasha or a rural site. Cement and steel suppliers may quote delivery by order size and route; sand, ballast and stones depend heavily on source, truck capacity, haul distance, site approach and offloading arrangements. Timber sellers may advertise countrywide delivery without stating the charge. Ask for three totals on the same specification: supplier pickup, delivery to the site gate, and delivery plus offloading. Record the county, town/estate, order quantity, quote date and validity period.

Never add an assumed “county premium” to an old web price and call it current. For the same reason, do not blend 2025 guide averages, undated retail product cards and a 2026 delivered-lorry estimate into one average. Keep each line’s evidence type visible: dated historical guide, undated page price checked on 16 October 2026, supplier quote, quarry rate or delivered estimate. That simple discipline makes a price guide useful instead of falsely precise.

How to build a reliable material budget

1. Start with approved drawings and a BOQ. The quantity surveyor or designer should identify cement type, reinforcement grade and bar size, aggregate grading, stone dimensions and timber sections. Do not estimate structural quantities from a photograph or online calculator alone.
2. Standardize the quote request. Send each supplier the same brand or performance specification, quantity, required date and site location. Ask for the unit price, total, VAT treatment, validity, stock status, delivery, loading and offloading on separate lines.
3. Check quality before bulk order. Confirm KEBS mark/permit for cement, mill marks and test documentation for steel, grading for aggregates, sample and dimensions for stone, and species/grade/treatment for timber. Escalate substitutions to the responsible professional.
4. Verify what arrives. Compare delivery notes against purchase orders; count bags, bars, stone pieces and timber bundles. For bulk aggregates, document truck size or a weighbridge ticket where available, and photograph the load before signing.
5. Reconcile weekly. Track quantity ordered, delivered, accepted, issued to work, returned, damaged or remaining. An unexplained shortage may be a measurement, storage, design-change or delivery issue; investigate the record before blaming a supplier or crew.
6. Update the price index on a schedule. Save the quote, source URL, date, locality, product description and delivery terms. Recheck volatile items before procurement and publish a new review date whenever the index is refreshed.

Frequently asked questions

Are these the official prices for all hardware stores in Kenya?

No. They are public page listings, dated market guides and delivery estimates from different sellers. Kenya does not have one universal retail price for every brand, grade, quantity and site. Treat them as comparison leads and confirm a current invoice-ready quote.

Why is there such a large gap between two cement or steel prices?

The product may differ by grade, strength class, brand, sale period, order size, VAT, delivery, stock status or even the price unit. Some pages are undated or contain conflicting calculator and product-card values. Ask the supplier to confirm the exact line item and total in writing.

Can quarry dust replace river sand in concrete?

Not automatically. Quarry dust, manufactured sand and natural river sand have different grading and fines characteristics. Use the material only where the engineer’s approved mix design and applicable testing allow it.

Is a 9-inch Ndarugo stone always better than a 6-inch stone?

No. Wall thickness and stone dimensions must follow the drawings and structural requirements. A larger stone may use more material and may not be required. Confirm the precise nominal dimensions and use the specified type.

Build your budget on verified quotes

For Nairobi and neighbouring counties, the fairest comparison is not simply the lowest online amount. It is the lowest verified delivered cost for the exact grade, size, quantity and quality evidence your project requires. Keep old guide rates clearly dated, check undated pages directly with vendors, and include VAT, transport, loading and offloading only when confirmed. Revisit the numbers before every bulk order.

Subscribe to GenZ Constructors' quarterly construction material index and get discounted bulk procurement rates.

Sources and supplier pages

• MjengoAI cement price guide (updated June 2025) and EAPC product descriptions.
• KEBS Marks of Quality and KEBS standards catalogue for reinforcing steel.
• Construction Kenya steel-bar price guide and Abyssinia TMT technical listing.
• JengaHub Kilimambogo aggregate listing, Beyond Forest sand estimates and Moran Aggregate ballast sizes.
• Ascar machine-cut stone listing, PigiaMe Matiliku listing and Ndarugo Stones delivery calculator.
• Nairobi Timber price table and Randtech cypress product listing.

Price note: pages were checked 16 October 2026. Where a supplier did not state a price date, the table says “not stated; checked 16 Oct 2026.” Confirm all prices, stock, standards, VAT and delivery terms with the supplier before purchasing.