How much is 1 cubic metre of concrete in Kenya?

In Kenya, site-mixed concrete typically costs about KSh 12,000 – 15,000 per cubic metre, while ready-mix concrete costs around KSh 14,500 – 18,000 per cubic metre. Prices vary by location, cement brand, and transport costs.

How much is a 20kg bag of concrete or cement?

In Kenya, a 20kg bag of ready-mix concrete usually costs around KSh 450 – 650, while a standard 50kg bag of cement costs about KSh 700 – 900, depending on brand and region.

How much do concreters charge per square metre in Kenya?

Labour charges for concrete work in Kenya typically range from KSh 500 – 1,200 per square metre, depending on slab thickness, formwork complexity, reinforcement, and site accessibility.

Concrete Mixer Hire in Kenya: Prices & Sizes

Q: How much does it cost to hire a concrete mixer in Kenya?

In Kenya, concrete mixer hire typically costs KSh 3,000 – 6,000 per day for small to medium petrol or diesel mixers (250L–350L). Larger site mixers (500L) may cost KSh 7,000 – 10,000 per day, depending on location and transport distance.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a cement mixer per day?

Daily cement mixer hire in Kenya generally ranges as follows: 250L petrol or diesel mixer: KSh 3,000 – 4,000; 350L diesel mixer: KSh 4,500 – 6,000; 500L diesel site mixer: KSh 7,000 – 10,000. Fuel is usually not included unless stated.

Q: Is it better to rent or buy a concrete mixer in Kenya?

Renting a concrete mixer is usually better for short-term projects. Buying a mixer can cost between KSh 120,000 and 250,000, excluding maintenance. For most home builders and small contractors, hiring avoids storage, repairs, and idle equipment costs.

Q: How much concrete is in one lorry or mixer truck?

A standard ready-mix concrete truck in Kenya carries approximately 6–8 cubic metres of concrete. Smaller trucks may carry about 4–5 cubic metres depending on axle limits and road regulations.

Q: What is the cost of a 12×12 concrete slab in Kenya?

A 12×12 foot concrete slab, roughly 13 square metres at 100mm thickness, requires about 1.3–1.5 cubic metres of concrete. The total cost for materials and labour typically ranges between KSh 25,000 and 40,000, depending on site conditions.

BeyondForest
2 days ago
6 min read

Updated: 13 hours ago

Construction scene with workers on scaffolding, hoisting a large concrete mixer bucket against a clear sky. Urban setting with power lines and buildings.

By the end of this section you will have learnt

1.)About Concrete Mixers

2.)Concrete Mixer Hire Rates in Kenya

3.)Concrete Mixer vs Ready Mix Concrete: Which Is Better?

4.)Concrete Mixer Sizes, Capacity & Output

5.)Concrete Mixer Hire Near You in Kenya

6.)Common Uses of Concrete Mixers

7.)What to Check Before Hiring a Concrete Mixer

8.)How to Hire a Concrete Mixer in Kenya

9.)Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Mixer Hire

About Concrete Mixers

Concrete mixer hiring can earn more per day than a matatu . A single mixer + vibrator job on a first-floor slab can bring in KSh 10,000–20,000 before noon.

Meanwhile, a matatu must operate all day to earn the same — and still pays fuel, town council, police, maintenance, and parking fees.

Equipment hire is quietly more profitable than transport.

Concrete mixers are essential construction machines used to efficiently mix cement, sand, ballast, and water into uniform concrete, especially during slabbing and structural works. In Kenya, mixers are commonly hired together with operators and support crews, making them a practical, income-generating tool.

The higher the building, the more expensive the hire

As a building grows taller, the crane hoist:

Uses more fuel
Loses lifting efficiency
Requires more power time
Wears faster

That’s why hire rates increase with each floor — height directly affects cost.

A typical mixer setup involves multiple workers handling ballast, sand, cement, water, bucket loading, and crane operation. When combined with a hoist crane and vibrator, mixers significantly reduce labor fatigue and speed up work. Mixer and vibrator hire is often more profitable than transport businesses, as a single building slab—such as a first-floor house—can generate substantial earnings within just half a day.

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Concrete Mixer Hire Rates in Kenya

People working on construction site with a cement mixer, sacks of materials, and a parked truck. Sunny day, industrial surroundings.

Mixer Type	Hire Rate / Day
Small portable mixer (180–250 L drum, petrol/diesel)	KES 6,000 / day
Medium mixer (≈ 350 – 500 L drum, petrol/diesel)	KES 5,000 – 6,000 / day
Self-loading concrete mixer (6 m³ capacity)	6 m³ @ KES 25,000 / day
Concrete mixer + vibrator (site combo	From KES 5,500

Want To Learn More About Building Sand Prices Click Here >>>

Concrete Mixer vs Ready Mix Concrete: Which Is Better?

A concrete mixer is the backbone of slabbing in Kenya

Mixers make slabbing:

Faster
More uniform
Less labor-intensive

They perfectly combine cement, sand, ballast, and water, eliminating human mixing errors that weaken slabs.

Construction site under sunny skies, showing workers on a steel-reinforced concrete slab. Trees and buildings visible in the background.

In Kenya, many builders prefer concrete mixers for affordability and flexibility, reserving ready-mix for large or time-sensitive jobs.

Choosing between a concrete mixer and ready-mix concrete depends on project size, access, and cost. Concrete mixers are ideal for small to medium projects such as residential slabs, extensions, and columns. They allow flexibility, controlled mixing, and lower costs where labor and materials are locally available.

Want To Learn More About Ready Mix Concrete Prices Click Here >>>

Aerial view of construction site with workers on a concrete slab. Two cranes and a cement mixer truck are visible. Lush green backdrop.

Ready-mix concrete, delivered by transit mixers, is better for large projects requiring consistent quality and fast placement, such as commercial buildings. However, ready-mix is costlier and requires good site access.

Need a Concrete Mixer, Vibrator or Hoist Crane for Your Slab?

📍 Tell us your location, we connect you to the nearest machine for minimum mobilisation cost

fill the form to request today’s rates

Concrete Mixer Sizes, Capacity & Output

Mixers are hired with a full labour crew — not just the machine

Most sites hire the mixer together with a 6–7-man team, including:

2 ballast handlers
1 sand handler
1 cement handler
1 water handler
1 crane operator
1 person loading/offloading buckets

You’re not just renting a machine — you’re buying a system that brings speed, efficiency, and output.

Cement mixer and bags, buckets, and tools in a sunny construction site. Blue barrels and rough wall in the background.

Concrete mixers used in Kenya commonly range from 250L, 350L, to 500L drum capacities. A 250L mixer is suitable for small works and typically handles 1.5 bags of cement per batch, while a 350L mixer can mix 2 bags efficiently.

Concrete Mixer Metal buckets on a dirt ground, with a cement-covered stick. A cloth drapes over one bucket. Background shows a metal fence and scattered items.

Larger 500L site mixers handle 3–4 bags per batch, making them ideal for continuous slabbing. Output depends on mixing time, crew efficiency, and fuel availability.

Concrete Mixer Hire Near You in Kenya

Workers beside a cement mixer and sand pile in a sunlit yard with brick walls. Bags and tools are scattered around. Casual and industrious mood.

A vibrator is as important as the mixer — it determines slab strength

The concrete vibrator:

Removes air pockets
Ensures proper compaction
Prevents honeycombing
Strengthens your slab and pillars

Without a vibrator, even well-mixed concrete can weaken structurally

Concrete mixer hire near you in Kenya is designed to reduce costs and save time by sourcing equipment closest to your construction site. By sharing your exact location, suppliers can match you with the nearest available mixer, minimizing mobilization and transport expenses. This proximity-based hiring ensures faster delivery, quicker setup, and better coordination with operators. Whether you are building in Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, or upcountry, local sourcing makes concrete mixing more affordable and efficient.

Common Uses of Concrete Mixers

Close-up of rusty metal concrete mixer machinery inside a dusty container, showing shadow patterns and bright sunlight. No visible text or people.

Image of Inside a concrete mixer

Concrete mixers are widely used in Kenya for slabbing residential and commercial buildings, casting foundations, columns, and beams, and constructing driveways and pavements. They are also essential for fence posts, water tank bases, retaining walls, and small-scale commercial projects. Mixers ensure uniform concrete quality, faster production, and reduced manual labour, making them suitable for both urban construction sites and rural projects where efficiency and consistency are critical.

What to Check Before Hiring a Concrete Mixer

Old cement mixer on wheels in a yard, surrounded by bags, rocks, and grass. Sunlit, rustic setting with a brick wall in the background.

Check the mixer’s condition, including drum wear and belt or gear performance, to ensure smooth mixing. Ask whether transport and fuel are included in the hire cost. Confirm if operators or support crew are provided, and verify site accessibility to avoid mobilization delays or extra charges.

How to Hire a Concrete Mixer in Kenya

Construction workers on a roof spreading wet concrete with rebar around. A wheelbarrow is nearby. The setting is a sunny day with buildings.

Start by sharing your location so the supplier can match you with the nearest available machine to minimize mobilization costs.

Choose a suitable drum size based on your project—250L, 350L, or 500L.

Confirm the daily hire rate, transport cost, and whether an operator or support crew is included.

Ensure the mixer is in good working condition

Check fuel requirements, and schedule delivery early to avoid delays on the construction day.

Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Mixer Hire

A generator sits on a dirt ground with scattered debris. Wooden planks and a coiled hose are nearby, under bright sunlight.

Image of a Hoist crane

How much does it cost to hire a concrete mixer in Kenya?

In Kenya, concrete mixer hire typically costs 3,000Ksh – 6,000Ksh per day for small to medium petrol or diesel mixers (250L–350L). Larger site mixers (500L) may cost 7,000Ksh – 10,000Ksh per day, depending on location and transport distance.

How much does it cost to hire a cement mixer per day?

Daily cement mixer hire in Kenya ranges as follows 250L petrol/diesel mixer: 3,000Ksh – 4,000Ksh , 350L diesel mixer: 4,500Ksh – 6,000Ksh while 500L diesel site mixer: 7,000Ksh – 10,000Ksh Fuel is usually not included unless stated.

Are concrete mixers in Kenya electric or diesel?

Concrete Cement mixer in a sunny construction site with sand, sacks, and buckets. The machine is stationary on a dirt and grass surface.

Most concrete mixers used on Kenyan construction sites are diesel or petrol-powered due to unreliable electricity on sites. Electric mixers are rare and mostly used for very small indoor or controlled projects.

How much concrete does one mixer produce per batch?

A standard 250L–350L mixer produces about 0.18–0.25 cubic meters of concrete per batch. This is roughly: 1.5 – 2 bags of cement per mix a 500L mixer can handle 3–4 bags per batch.

Is it better to rent or buy a concrete mixer in Kenya?

Renting is better for short-term projects. Buying a mixer costs 120,000Ksh – 250,000Ksh, excluding maintenance. For most home builders and small contractors, hiring avoids storage, repairs, and idle equipment costs.

How much is 1 cubic meter of concrete in Kenya?

As of current market rates Site-mixed concrete: Approx. 12,000Ksh – 15,000Ksh per m³ while Ready-mix concrete: Approx. 14,500Ksh – 18,000Ksh per m³ . Prices vary by location, cement brand, and transport costs.

How much concrete is in one lorry or mixer truck?

Worker spreading concrete with a barrow on a construction site by a house. Another lifts a bucket of concrete. Sunny day, casual attire.

A standard ready-mix concrete truck in Kenya carries 6 – 8 cubic meters of concrete. Smaller trucks may carry 4 – 5 cubic meters depending on axle limits.

What is the cost of a 12×12 concrete slab in Kenya?

A 12×12 feet slab (approx. 13 m²) at 100mm thickness requires about 1.3 – 1.5 m³ of concrete. Total cost (materials + labor) typically ranges between 25,000Ksh – 40,000Ksh, depending on site conditions.

How much is a 50kg bag of concrete or cement?

In Kenya 50kg cement bag: 700Ksh – 900Ksh, depending on brand and region.

How much do concreters charge per square meter in Kenya?

Labor charges for concrete work typically range from 500Ksh – 1,200 per m², depending on slab thickness, formwork complexity, and site accessibility.

What is the best way to mix concrete on a Kenyan site?

For small projects, a petrol or diesel concrete mixer is the most efficient option. It ensures uniform mixing, faster output, and reduced labor compared to hand mixing, especially for slabs, foundations, and columns.