Kiambu has touristic potential

Kiambu County covers the old administrative divisions of Thika, Gatundu, Githunguri and Kiambaa. Kiambu includes the old Lari, Limuru and Kikuyu divisions too. These divisions have since been upgraded to administrative Districts, most under different names. Kiambu is highly scenic. Drive down to Kentmere, Tigoni, parts of Githunguri and Lari and you’ll see sheer beauty. It’s lush and green. Kiambu County is also home to the attractive Chania and Fourteen falls. Towards Kijabe and Kimende, also in Kiambu, one gets an opportunity to view the spell bounding drop into the renowned escarpment. These combined perhaps give Kiambu one of the highest touristic potentials in Kenya. This is a comparative advantage Governor William Kabogo and his team should try to fully harness…..camp sites, nature walks, serene conference centers and high end hotel accommodation next to some of these natural sites.

Agriculture, horticulture and dairy production do well

Most of Kiambu was part of the former white highlands. The soils and rainfall are good. Many former settler farms are in Kiambu. From Gatuanyaga bordering Machakos, through Kiambaa, Limuru to Lari which borders Naivasha, one finds several farms with flourishing crops of pineapples, coffee, tea, horticulture or diary production. These, plus the numerous high potential small holder farms, pack enough potential to not only feed the County but also supply Nairobi, Kitui and Kajiado with their supply of dairy products, foodstuffs, green vegetables and fresh fruits. Kiambu’s horticultural products, coffee and tea count for a lot in Kenya’s foreign earnings too. The successful Githunguri dairy has demonstrated the latent potential behind Kiambu’s dairy industry. It’s upon the county management team to turn Kiambu’s agricultural and dairy potential into a major economic advantage.

Commerce and industry well developed

Kiambu is home to many urban centers. The centers are so positioned geographically that they give Kiambu yet another big advantage. With its small surface area of about 2500 square kilometers, Kiambu is perhaps one of the most urbanized counties after Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. Kikuyu, Limuru and Lari define its Western edge while Ruiru, Juja, Gatundu and Thika define the Eastern one. Karuri, Kiambu and Githunguri are spread out at its center. Nairobi extends its urban influence to Kiambu’s Southern rim. These urban centers, which have all seen tremendous growth in recent years, provide good commercial opportunities to Kiambu residents. Indeed, some like Kikuyu, Limuru, Ruiru and Thika, are home to manufacturing factories and major industrial assembly plants. These escalate opportunities for commerce and inter-county trade, besides being big sources of revenue through business licenses. They also attract cosmopolitan workers who enhance national and cultural integration, something many counties will never enjoy. This provides a good impetus for the growth of a sustainable hospitality industry.

Great future from real estate and land revenues

Kiambu is a dormitory zone to the overstretched Nairobi County. Many prefer to seek accommodation in the many urban centers within Kiambu and commute to Nairobi daily. This has spelt a boon to Kiambu’s property prices and residential investments. Many residential estates are now coming up off Thika Super Highway. Tatu City in Ruiru and Four Ways Junction along Kiambu Road are under contruction. Besides Thika which commands a major residential periphery, Ruiru, Kiambu, Ruaka and Kikuyu are arguably Nairobi’s unsung residential estates. If well managed to ensure good security, physical and social infrastructure, these premium properties would be excellent sources of revenue for Kiambu.

This would be derived from change of user, approval fees for development, annual rates and commercial property licenses. This is an untapped goldmine for the county. For results, the inefficient systems under the old system should be quickly replaced with a transparent land administration system under competent professionals.