Concrete Mix Ratio in Kenya (2026): 1:2:4, 1:1.5:3 and Bags of Cement per m³

Oct 12, 2026

Buy More Mall Kenya

Getting the mix right is the cheapest way to build strong. Too little cement and the concrete is weak; too much water and it cracks. This guide gives the standard site mix ratios used in Kenya and how much cement, sand and ballast each needs.

Quick answer: The common site mix for slabs, beams and footings is 1:2:4 (cement : sand : ballast), which needs about 6–7 bags of 50 kg cement per cubic metre. Columns and heavily loaded slabs use 1:1.5:3 (about 8 bags per m³), and blinding uses 1:3:6 (about 4–5 bags per m³). Cement costs from KSh 770 a bag on Buy More Mall. Structural work should follow the engineer’s drawings.

Concrete Mix Ratios by Job

Mix (cement:sand:ballast)	Typical use	Cement per m³ (approx.)	Sand per m³	Ballast per m³
1:1.5:3	Columns, beams, suspended slabs	About 8 bags	About 0.42 m³	About 0.84 m³
1:2:4	Ground slabs, footings, lintels	About 6–7 bags	About 0.44 m³	About 0.88 m³
1:3:6	Blinding, mass fill, paths	About 4–5 bags	About 0.46 m³	About 0.92 m³

Quantities use the usual site rule that wet concrete needs about 1.54 m³ of dry materials per m³ and 50 kg bags. Allow 5–10% extra for waste.

Mortar Mix Ratios

Mortar (cement:sand)	Use
1:3	Plaster on external walls, screeds, wet areas
1:4	Stone and block walling
1:6	Internal plaster, light walling

How to Mix Concrete on Site

Measure with the same container (a bucket or a gauge box) for every batch; never by shovel count alone.
Mix the sand and cement dry until the colour is even.
Add the ballast and mix again.
Add clean water gradually until the mix is workable but not runny. Extra water weakens concrete.
Place within about 30–60 minutes and compact it to remove air.
Cure: keep it wet (sprinkle or cover with polythene) for at least 7 days.

Materials and Tools

Simba Cement – price in Kenya — Simba Cement
**KSh 770**

K.P Silver Mombasa Cement – price in Kenya — K.P Silver Mombasa Cement
**KSh 780**

Brc A98 – price in Kenya — Brc A98
**KSh 24,000**

Wheelbarrow – price in Kenya — Wheelbarrow
**KSh 3,600**

Spade (wooden handle) – price in Kenya — Spade (wooden handle)
**KSh 350**

Trowel-Big – price in Kenya — Trowel-Big
**KSh 160**

Some photos are reference images of the product type, used under open licences. Image credits are on each product page.

Item	Use	Price
Simba Cement	50 kg bag	KSh 770
K.P Silver Mombasa Cement	50 kg bag	KSh 780
Brc A98	Mesh reinforcement for slabs	KSh 24,000
Wheelbarrow	Moving concrete	KSh 3,600
Spade (wooden handle)	Mixing	KSh 350
Trowel-Big	Finishing	KSh 160
Polythene Roll 12Kg	Covering for curing	KSh 1,400

How Many Bags of Cement for a House?

It depends on the plan, the foundation and the walling. Work it out element by element: footings and slab volume × bags per m³, plus mortar and plaster. See cost of building a 3-bedroom house and cement prices.

Worked Example: Ground Slab for a 4 m × 5 m Room

Area 20 m², thickness 0.1 m = 2 m³ of concrete. Using 1:2:4 at about 6.5 bags per m³ gives 13 bags; add 10% waste = about 14–15 bags of cement, about 0.9 m³ of sand and 1.8 m³ of ballast, plus BRC mesh over a DPM.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Adding extra water to make mixing easier.
Measuring by shovels of different sizes.
Using dirty sand or ballast with soil.
Letting fresh concrete dry out in the sun on day one.

Not sure which one fits? Send us your details on WhatsApp or through the product page and we will help you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ratio of concrete in Kenya?

1:2:4 is the common site mix for slabs and footings; 1:1.5:3 for columns; 1:3:6 for blinding.

How many bags of cement make 1 cubic metre of concrete?

About 6–7 bags for 1:2:4, about 8 for 1:1.5:3 and about 4–5 for 1:3:6.

How long should concrete cure?

Keep it moist for at least 7 days; it keeps gaining strength for about 28 days.

What is the mortar ratio for plastering?

Usually 1:4 to 1:6 inside and 1:3 to 1:4 for external or wet areas.

Can I use 1:2:4 for columns?

Follow your engineer; columns usually need a richer mix such as 1:1.5:3.

Prices shown are regular prices on Buy More Mall. Many products are currently on offer, so open the product page to see today's price.

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