Parable of Kajiado and Machakos: counties so near, yet so far apart

NAIROBI: The county of Kajiado is a truly amazing. This week, the county council tabled its Finance Bill for discussion, and it includes certain stipulations about commercial photography.

Those filming within the county to produce commercials will be required to pay some Sh150,000 for licensing, among others.

In the neighbouring county of Machakos, its governor, Alfie Mutua, announced a film festival where local filmmakers stand to win up to Sh1m.

And of course no licence fees are charged. The only criterion is that at least one scene of the 7-minute films will have to shot in Machakos.

Further, the winning entries, as well as top 10 films, shall be broadcast on local TV networks.

If I remember right, Machawood is to house studios where filmmakers can edit their films for free, as long as they are filmed on locations in Machakos.

But Kajiado still has an edge and can be successfully promoted as a viable destination for local tourism, given its unique attractions.

First off, it is probably the only county where a road reserve serves as a matatu termini.

The resultant chaos are known beyond our borders: tourists from Arusha miss their connection flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport because they can’t plough through the Kitengela traffic fast enough, while flowers destined for the same airport similarly perish in the waiting. To the best of my knowledge, it is about the only country where official policy is to encourage livestock to graze on international highways because the traditional way of life of the indigenous population there need not be upheld or respected, but also promoted as a viable pathway to prosperity.

Oooh, and the county also houses a white elephant, even though the one there looks somewhat grey: it is the proposed Kitengela market and bus termini. I could be wrong, maybe it’s a Vision 2030 project.