Vertical developments key to saving Kiambu’s food basket farm-lands, Trade CS Kinyanjui urge

The government is encouraging investors to put up multi-storey buildings in counties like Kiambu to save agricultural land which is being quickly replaced by real estate, as well as ensuring food security.

Cabinet Secretary for Investment Trade and Industrialisation Lee Kinyanjui noted that construction of high-rise buildings is a sure way to save land meant for agriculture in Kiambu and other regions in the neighbourhood.

“Agricultural land is being consumed rapidly by residential constructions particularly in Kiambu. So the more we go vertical, the more we shall have land available for agriculture. This will help us address long-term food security challenges,” stated Kinyanjui.

The CS spoke during a signing ceremony for the development of twin multi-storey residential and commercial Jabali Towers at Tatu City in Ruiru, through a partnership between Saudi Arabia’s Mabani Company, Al-Jazeera Group and Rendezvous Limited.

Jabali Towers, whose 25 and 36-storey floors will soar over Tatu City and Ruiru when completed, includes exclusive amenities for residents, as well as 35 restaurants and shops open to the public. The first tower is more than 80 per cent sold.

Kinyanjui also commended the management of Rendezvous which runs Tatu City, for creating an enabling environment for investors and residents, and assured them of government support in security matters.

At the same time, the CS challenged Kenyans in the Diaspora to take advantage of the prevailing investment opportunities and plough their earnings back home to help develop the country.

He pointed out that about 800,000 Kenyans work abroad and continue to wire money back home and urged them to expand their contribution by investing in productive sectors such as housing, manufacturing and agri-business.

Observing that Kenya’s improving investment climate presents an ideal opportunity for wealth creation, the CS said the government has aligned laws and policies to support investment through Special Economic Zones and introduced incentives aimed at attracting both local and international investors.

“Kenyans living and working abroad now have a chance to channel their incomes back home as the government continues to create a favourable environment for both local and foreign investors,” Kinyanjui emphasized.

He also noted that the removal of visa requirements for travelers from across African has further enhanced the country’s position as a regional investment destination.

“Additionally, the stability of the Kenya shilling over the past two years, even during periods of global economic uncertainty, coupled with visa-free travel from across Africa demonstrates the country’s resilience and makes it one of the most attractive destinations for investment in the region,” he added.

Kinyanjui noted that demand for housing continues to outpace supply, with the construction sector contributing about 10 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product.

Further, the CS noted that almost half of home purchases in Nairobi are made by non-Kenyans, reflecting growing investor confidence in the country’s real estate market.

Kenya Investment Authority Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa said the government will continue working with relevant agencies to facilitate approvals for strategic investments.

Mwendwa added that Kenya remains committed to providing a predictable and investor-friendly business environment.

The project, comprising two 25 and 36-twin storey apartment towers at Tatu City, is expected to create about 700 direct jobs during construction.

According to the developers, nearly 80 per cent of the units have already been sold even though construction is yet to begin, underscoring the strong demand for quality housing and growing confidence among investors from Kenya and abroad.

Recently, Tatu City appointed China Road and Bridge Corporation as the main contractor for the mixed-use development located at the heart of Tatu City Special Economic Zone (SEZ) development.

Prior to the mid 1990’s, Kiambu with its high agricultural productivity, was a key food basket to Nairobi city.

However, with the rapidly growing population of the capital city, there was pressure for accommodation and the neighbouring Kiambu became Nairobi’s bedroom.

This led to conversation of vast chunks of agricultural land into real estate, particularly in areas like Kabete, Kikuyu, Kiambaa, Ruiru and Juja among others where coffee farms and other agricultural activities were gradually replaced residential or commercial buildings.