State orders study on soapstone

Osborne Obara working on a soapstone.

The government has commissioned a feasibility study on the state and potential of the world-renowned Kisii soapstone industry to turn it into a major employer.

Cabinet Secretary for Petroleum and Mining, John Munyes said on Thursday that the feasibility study will start within the next four months.

Speaking yesterday from Kisii when he met area Governor James Ongwae, Mr Munyes said expression of interest should give results by April 2019.

“Investors want to understand the market. Kisii has lost a lot of money from exports of soapstone whose little semblance is only found in Canada,” he said.