Tatu City project finally takes off the ground

Tatu City, Kenya’s biggest privately funded real estate project, is finally taking shape, with civil works set to begin after a ground-breaking ceremony on Saturday.

Sixty per cent of the first phase of the 150-acre Kijani Ridge had already been bought by home owners including Kiambu County Governor William Kabogo.

Kijani has been subdivided into 145 half acre and 156 quarter acre plots. “My home will be in Tatu and I welcome all those who want to live next to Kiambu’s first governor as a neighbour,” said Mr Kabogo.

During the launch that was attended by United States Ambassador Robert Godec and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Rendeavour an American real estate company, showcased what is set to be a premier gated community with spacious individual serviced plots.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Rendeavour Head of Corporate Affairs Preston Mendenhall said the company had set aside an initial Sh10.1 billion for infrastructure, land and material. He said civil works will consume Sh51 billion when complete.

Ambassador Godec said the initiative represents the attractiveness of Kenya to American businesses ahead of the Global Entrepreneurship Summit that will be held in a fortnight.

He said Tatu also comes at a time when the African Growth and Opportunity Act has been given a 10-year extension, which will have investors eyeing favourable investment destinations in Africa.

The Sh240 billion Tatu City project on a 2,500-acre development with residential, commercial, industrial, tourism, social and recreation amenities, has had its fair share of problems that delayed the ground-breaking.

Local and international shareholders have been embroiled in legal battles and boardroom wars that have held back the investment.

Mr Mendenhall said the project has started attracting its targets, especially industrialists from Nairobi.

Three months ago, Dormans signed a deal to move its coffee-roasting factory and head offices to a 10-acre piece in the complex.

Kim Fay, a tissue-making business, and Maxon, Heineken brewers are also setting up shop at the industrial park.