Kirinyaga governor Anne Waiguru has proposed Sh10 billion real estate projects around the Thiba dam now under construction at a cost of Sh19 billion.
She says Kirinyaga is already negotiating with development partners to build an 18-hole golf course, shopping mall, club houses and residential houses around the mega project.
The dam was commissioned mid-December by President Uhuru Kenyatta in Rukenya, Gichugu Sub-County, paving the way for contractor Strabag Group to commence groundwork.
It will help secure the year-round water supply for the county’s rice farming hence inducing a two-season cycle for rice production as opposed to the current single harvest.
According to Ms Waiguru, her government will offer incentives and also partner in some projects to help reap maximum revenues and benefit for the locals.
She noted that properties near the mega project have appreciated by an average of 60 per cent, terming it a good environment for business.The 40-metre tall one kilometre-long dam is projected to be ready in the next 45 months.It will increase acreage under rice by 8,000 acres to stand at 28,000 acres. “This means that there will be a new demand for housing of labourers in the added acres.
That calls for a partnership to develop low cost houses. There will be middle-income employees who will be recruited to manage the farming projects and they too will need housing,” she said.
Ms Waiguru added that the ultimate goal is to lobby for the construction of an airstrip in the county to facilitate fast and cost-effective transport of produce to markets.
-businessdailyafrica.com
