Sh1.4 billion shopping mall to change the face of Nanyuki

Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, through his motto, Enhancing an Investment Hub in the County hopes to create room for youth employment.

Laikipia, Kenya: Investors have in the last two years flocked Laikipia County to set up multi-million projects thanks to strategic locations of its towns and agricultural potential.

Top in the list is the ongoing construction of a Sh1.4 billion shopping mall that is bound to change the face of Nanyuki town.

The structure, according to the county government was brokered through public-private partnerships and is likely to be the biggest mall in Kenya.

Laikipia County lies on the leeward side of Mt Kenya and offers a wide range of tourism products.

Nanyuki Town, which is the county headquarters, offers a lucrative economic base due to its positioning as a tourist hub, and so construction of Cedar mall comes at the right time, says Trade and Tourism Executive Jane Putunoi.

The facility is expected to provide shops, office spaces, banks, eatery joints, supermarkets among others.

“This is a great achievement for Laikipia County. Our principle is to make sure investments are 90 per cent of beneficial to locals,” said Ms Putunoi.

County Chief of Staff John Wambugu noted that the mall lies on a ten-acre parcel of land near Nanyuki Stadium, although the first phase of construction will occupy five-acres.

   BOOST EMPLOYMENT

Panari Group of hotels is also putting up a multi-million five-star hotel in Nyahururu town, located on the south-western side of the county.

“We expect the hotel to be opened by September. It is in a favourable location since it is just adjacent to the world famous Thomson’s Falls,” said Mr Wambugu.

He said the hotel is being put up in a 20-acre land belonging to the Kenya Forestry Service, and the county had also facilitated an upcoming brewer, the Mt Kenya Breweries, who have started business at Nturukuma area.

Wambugu said the brewer has already acquired the necessary licences from Kenya Bureau of Standards through the assistance of Governor Joshua Irungu. It is expected to employ at least 150 people in its initial stages, and that the plant had already started test runs.

“These projects, which are in line with our governor’s motto, of Enhancing an Investment Hub in the county will offer the much needed employment to the youth,” said Wambugu.

 

At the same time, the county government, through its Donor Relations officer Lantano Nabala, has attracted a Non-Governmental Organisation, the ‘I Choose Life Africa’ through Jielimishe programme to supply sanitary towels to girls in schools. The project will ensure all girls in primary and secondary stay in school.