President William Ruto is expected to officially open the Voi Gemstone Centre on Friday.

The centre which is set to benefit more than 1,500 artisanal and small-scale miners from Taita Taveta county will cut, polish, add value as well as package gemstones for sale in the international market.

The centre is also aimed at increasing the value of minerals produced in the country and sold in other markets.

It will also be a collection centre for precious stones mined by small-scale miners.

The Sh60 million gemology centre which was set for official opening in 2018 was delayed due to little progress in the processing of gemstones.

This will be the only facility in the country where value addition for minerals takes place before miners sell their products.