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Why Kiambu is no longer ‘Nairobi’s bedroom’


Ongoing commercial and residential investments worth billions of shillings, have made Kiambu County cast the Nairobi shadow, given its proximity to the capital city.

Kiambu County Deputy Governor Gerald Githinji said that Tatu City real estate project had managed to lure industrial investments from various companies worth billions of shillings, while the 775-acre Migaa Golf Resort and Gated Community had also attracted more companies, helping the region shed its tradition tag as Nairobi’s ‘bedroom’.

“Kiambu county is no longer Nairobi’s bedroom, but a vibrant county attracting world-class investments in industries, educational development, health, business and residential, to its doors,” he said.

The deputy governor spoke when he opened the just-completed Sh1 billion investment of the high-end Mitini Scapes project, a housing development by the publicly listed Home Afrika Ltd.

CHEAPER HOUSES

Home Afrika Chairman Lee Karuri said his company was set to fast-track other projects in Kisumu’s Riat Hills and within Tiwi area in Mombasa, with new plans under way to consider putting up cheaper houses for the low-income market.

Mitini Scapes proved hugely popular with clients as its 82 units are now 80 per cent occupied. The project sits on 775 acres, where several projects are set for groundbreaking.

Among them are a mall, office park, a private referral hospital while setting up of 100 new apartments is also under way.

Mr Githinji said ongoing development not only created jobs but also helped attract more investments, thereby generating wealth and jobs for all cadres of workers.

The deputy governor said proper physical planning had been conducted for Kiambu, Thika and Ruiru to guide all construction investments within the urban, peri-urban and none urban areas aimed at safeguarding food security as well as enabling investors to observe all building laws.

SLUM-LIKE GITHURAI

Mr Githinji, however, said lack of planning within Githurai had led to development of slum-like five-storey buildings, which made it difficult for the county government to provide essential services to residents, notably market, garbage collection and sewer services.

He said big projects helped boost the government’s vision of providing healthcare, education and secure living for Kenyans. He said the Kiambu government would continue fast-tracking approvals for such initiatives.

SOURCE: Daily Nation