After a lengthy lull, the Konza Technopolis is roaring back to life, triggering a scramble for property in the smart city on the busy Nairobi-Mombasa Highway.

Mooted in 2008 by the government, the idea of creating a technological city complete with its infrastructures, and all the essentials of a technopolis, promised a unique opportunity for the country to seize a substantial amount of the growing global Business Process Outsourcing and Information Technology Enabled Services (BPO/ITES).

Dubbed Africa’s Silicon Savannah, the Konza Technopolis was gazetted as a Special Economic Zone – the heart of innovative solutions for ICTs, business, health and education.

The town within the vast plains on the boundary of Machakos and Makueni counties, and locate roughly 70km south-east of Nairobi, had all the ingredients of an investment hub: proximity to the already robust tech industry in the capital city, a good terrain for commercial activities, infrastructure connectivity and ideal weather conditions.

Commissioned in 2013, the technopolis is billed as a world-class technology and innovation hub. It is expected to host data centres, with the National Data Centre (Phase I) being already complete, technology facilities, urban amenities and a mix of business enterprises, and premises that house companies, employees, and residents, when complete and in full operations.

Property development – both residential and commercial, universities, technical and vocational education and training (TVET) institutions and schools, hospitals, research and development facilities — are key selling points that the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) banked on to woo investors to their project. So are ICT facilities, light manufacturing and industries, retail establishments, hotels and convention centres, entertainment facilities including stadiums and cinemas, utilities such as energy and water, as well as infrastructure and logistics.

This strategic location of the tech city makes it ideal for a wide range of investments.

“Konza is essentially a commuting distance from Nairobi as well as Makueni, Machakos and Kajiado counties,” says Sharlene Mutinda, the managing director of Ntashart Investment, one of the pioneer property dealers in Konza.

What makes the city attractive, Ms Mutinda tells Digital Business, is its weather and good soil which she says makes the area good for both commercial and residential developments as well as agriculture.

Minimal activity at the technopolis’ site in the early years, however, cast doubt on the entire development, with some critics labeling the grand dream a white elephant in the making.

All this has, however, changed, with the smart city now appearing to rev up. Considerable development projects are taking shape, revitalising the tech city.

In the recent months, regional and national leaders have made visits to the city and called for even speedier development of the tech town that promises many job prospects.

Just last month when he visited the futuristic city accompanied by 10 members of parliament, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka urged the government to acquire more land for expansion, saying the current 5,000 acres the project was sitting on would be insufficient in coming years.

He similarly called for more resource allocation for the project noting that it will transform the region’s economy.

Konza Technopolis CEO John Tanui, on his part promised that when complete, the technopolis will be one of the best-designed cities in the region, and will homes possibly the largest data centre in the region.

“We are similarly building a total of 170km storm-water drainage and water supply lines as well as an automated and pressurised 15km system of solid waste management,” said Mr Tanui, when Mr Kalonzo visited the site.

He said the initial two phases – which host the data centre and offices – were nearing completion.

As Konza takes shape, investors of all stripes are trooping in, seeking to acquire a slice of the smart city which mirrors developments across the continent such as Eko Atlantic in Nigeria, Hope City in Ghana, Waterfall City in South Africa, Vision City in Rwanda and Ethiopia’s The Real Wakanda.

As of last year, the technopolis had attracted over 40 firms that had applied to establish investments in technological ventures, a factor which ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru says lays a strong foundation for establishing a smart city.

“We have different partners who are already setting up their vertical infrastructure which includes universities, hospitals and accommodation facilities,” Mr Mucheru said.

The Covid-19 pandemic, he noted, had delayed some of the work, but added that activities at the site have now regained momentum.

Experts say a number of factors make the area an ideal spot for investment in other sectors including real-estate.

The proximity of the area to other towns including Kitengela, a rich hub of horticulture practices, and its numerous educational institutions is a plus for potential investors, given that there are planned direct routes from Konza to Lukenya, Konza to Kitengela, and Konza to Isinya among others.

The beginning of the construction of the Nairobi Expressway that runs from Mlolongo to Westlands, has also raised hopes of easing the traffic on the key highway. Coming on the back of the dualling of the Machakos-Athi River section, this has made Konza an attractive destination for investors and prospective homeowners.

Ms Mutinda says areas around Konza are now real estate hotspots.

“We have in recent months seen a spike in the number of buyers of our property situated only three kilometres from the Nairobi–Mombasa Highway,” says Ms Mutinda, whose firm also manages properties such as Malik Heights, executive office suites on Ngong Road, Nairobi.

Leakey lines up Sh8.2bn museum in Kajiado

I do not believe in his evolution BALD-FACED lies, but I welcome his 8.2 billi investment in DC

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#DCisTheFuture

Covid-19 is among the challenges the contractor of the final phase of the Ngong Road dualling project has been facing.

However, the project is 79 per cent complete, according to the Kenya Urban Roads Authority.

The construction was due for completion in July, but the contractor had to relocate electricity, water and sewer lines as well as dealing with Covid-19 containment measures.

“The pandemic has forced the contractor to scale down road construction and reduce the workforce in a bid to adhere to Covid-19 guidelines,” Kura’s corporate communications manager Stephen Njogu said.

The ongoing construction is causing huge traffic snarl-ups during morning and evening rush hours.

China Qinjian is the contractor of the Sh2 billion 9.8-kilometre stretch from Dagoretti Corner to Karen Shopping Centre.

Njogu said 22 per cent of the sub-contractors had been downsized due to the coronavirus and limited sources of materials, a condition also blamed on the pandemic.

The road will have five footbridges and five lanes, with walkways and cycle tracks on both sides.

The expansion is in line with the Bus Rapid Transport project to be implemented to reduce traffic congestion to and from Nairobi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the first phase in 2016. This phase, which starts at the Kenya National Library to Prestige Plaza, was completed on December 17, 2017.

It was built by World Kaihatsu Kogyo, a Japanese company, at a cost of Sh1.3 billion. It covers three kilometres.

Phase 2 is a four-kilometre stretch from Prestige Plaza to Dagoretti Corner. It was completed on April 30, this year, by the same Japanese contractor at a cost of Sh2 billion.

Three pedestrian footbridges are to be built at the Kenyatta National Hospital gate, Coptic Church, and the Kenya Science Technical College in the next 18 months.

The footbridges will ease the movement of vehicles, which are now forced to stop to allow patients, students, and other users to cross the road.

According to Kura, the government invests over Sh300 billion annually on roads which are among the drivers of Vision 2030 and Agenda 4. The two economic blueprints are intended to propel Kenya into a medium-income level country in the next few years.

The improvement of non-motorised transport, installation of street and traffic lights, guard rails, traffic signs, and other amenities are vital components of modern road infrastructure.

Tony,
Good to see you brathee. Mjengo ulimaliza? Sisi pia tunaenendelea tu.
So you believe self-confessed SATANIST Darwin ati you came from a baboon?

If so, why did you evolve yet your BABOON FATHERS did not

You need to watch this video by this brilliant SCIENTIST before you respond:



Even if you believe in the big bang FAKE theory. WHERE DID THAT INITIAL ATOM FROM WHICH THE BIG BANG ALLEGEDLY OCCURRED COME FROM?
Answer me that and not only will we award you a NOBEL PRIZE for being the man who solves the evolution conundrum that has mystified all, be we can also have a FULL debate on facts vs Satanic theories za Darwin

But let us not derail this beautiful DC is the Future thread though If you want to really debate about your baboon fathers we can do so on a new evolution thread ama namna ngani jameni?

Kitengela is a town found within the greater kajiado county located along the kajiado namanga road.
It is a bee hive of activities and among the fastest growing towns in the region.Herein are a number of cool entertainment joints, one being PAVILLION CLUB, its a chill place to watch sports, have a cold one and enjoy some good food.
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Pavilion Kitengela.

Wukan, now talk about funk!



Again .. siyo mimi nimesema

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Commuters in Nairobi will soon be spared anger and frustration associated with matatus after the much-anticipated Nairobi Commuter Rail Service is launched.

The launch, in a few weeks' time, is set to provide new dawn in public transportation in the capital.

Travellers will be ferried to and from the Nairobi Central Station under the Commuter Rail Project, a collaboration of the Kenya Railway Service and the Nairobi Metropolitan Services.

The project will be a game-changer in the reduction of both vehicular and human traffic jams in the city.

Passengers will save both time and money and at the same time enjoy much-needed comfort on their way to and from the city centre.

Commuters tell sad stories of their experiences in matatus. They are verbally and physically abused, robbed of money and personal items and even hijacked. Violence is meted on women, with some sexually harassed and raped.

The commuter rail is part of the Master Plan of an integrated commuter system within the city and its environs. It also comprises the Bus Rapid Transit, monorail and underground rail.

Some of the infrastructures and amenities are still under installation. Recently, KR imported high capacity Diesel Mobile Units.

Operations have started in Embakasi, Pipeline and Doonholm railway. The three railway stations are among the 10 stations the KR is upgrading and constructing.

The others are at Umoja, Kibera, Thika, Mbagathi Way, Kenyatta and Strathmore universities, Kitengela and Thogoto.

Park and ride services will be available at the designated stops. The motorists will park at the stations and board the City Rail System buses to and from the city.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to launch the termini next month, NMS director-general Mohamed Badi said when he recently appeared before the National Assembly’s Committee on Administration and National Security.

Kenya Railways had in February announced it would purchase 11 refurbished DMUs for Sh1.15 billion from 11 refurbished DMUs, five coaches and spare parts from Serveis Ferroviaris de Mallorca.

The new DMUs will ply five routes from Nairobi Central Station to Embakasi Village, Syokimau, Kitengela, Kikuyu and Thika.

The city’s commuter rail service was introduced in May 1992 in response to a series of strikes by PSVs. With time, the demand plummeted due to poor management.

KR is targeting a daily commute to the CBD of 1.5 million people.

Matatus will be barred from the city centre next month, according to the NMS city decongestion plans announced in September.

Matatus using Jogoo Road and Haile Selassie Avenue will terminate their journeys at Muthurwa and those using Mombasa and Lang'ata roads at the Railway Golf Club.

Those plying Thika Superhighway will terminate their journey at the newly completed Ngara and Parklands termini.

Also, an expressway will be set up running from the Kenya Planters Cooperative Union near the Wakulima Market all the way to Jogoo Road.

The NMS is also searching for other grounds to be used as bus termini outside the CBD.

When the NMS was established and handed over to Badi on March 18, the President called for the operationalisation of two matatu termini at Desai Road and Park Road.

The Badi-headed NMS has also come up with the Non-Motorised Transport Corridors from some estates to the CBD.

This gives city residents the options for walking and cycling safely. Phase One of the NMT runs parallel to Nairobi River from Doonholm to Westlands.

Phase Two will run from the city centre to Lang'ata along the railway while Phase Three will start from the CBD to Roysambu through Ngara.

In June, President Kenyatta inspected the NMT along Kenyatta Avenue and Wabera Street.

NMS engineer Michael Ochieng said at the time that the intention of NMT was the decongestion of the CBD.

“This NMT network runs from Kenyatta Avenue to the Integrity Centre through Serena Hotel. Another will be along Moi Avenue to join yet another one from City Hall to University Way roundabout,” he said at the time.