Nanyuki-Kenya
A group of local investors is planning to revamp the look of Mt. Kenya region with construction of a fully fledged golf park project in the region.
The investors in conjunction with a consortium of professional golf course developers, consulting engineers and property managers are set to steer the development of a Kshs 5Billion golf park and resort branded as Mt Kenya Holiday Homes which will be located near Naro Moru.
The project development team out to extend a shot in the arm for the bright Mt Kenya Tourist Circuit includes: U Design architects, Ark Consultants, Northwind Quantity Surveyors, Total Golf Solutionz,Webston Consulting Engineers, Mahida & Maina Company Advocates, Capital Edge Solutions, and Interconsult Engineers.
As the first phase of the project gets underway, Ark Consultants’ Director Reginald Okumu will lead the project team which also features; U Design Architects Mr. Mutahi Wariithi and celebrated golf course architect Mr. Paresh Jai who has designed a 9-hole golf course around the 123-acre complex. Within golfing circles, Jai will be stepping out to nurture the Mt Kenya Holiday Homes fresh from his recent success at Vet Lab Golf club.
At Vet Lab, he, designed and constructed the new second 9-Hole course that has transformed it to its current top flight golf standing in the East Africa region alongside Vipingo Ridge and Muthaiga Golf Club. In a trend setting move, Mt Kenya Holiday Homes will incorporate cutting edge features such as a serviced Helipad, Clubhouse, 9-hole lush green Golf Course and a Solar powered perimeter fence and street lighting network across the cabro paved streets.
Speaking during the formal project ground breaking ceremony at the project site 20Kms from Nanyuki town, Okumu confirmed that Mt Kenya Holiday Homes will ultimately feature 95 holiday homes each set on fully serviced half acre plots. Already, the project’s golf course construction works are 70% complete with a Danish technology Ultra Modern greens and fairways pop-up sprinkler irrigation system installed by Irrico International Irrigation Systems now in place.
For environmental sustainability reasons, Jai explained that such an advanced Irrigation system is ideal for the semi arid area and will help conserve the scarce water resources while maintaining an all year lush golf course.
The project, Okumu disclosed will be undertaken through a unique build and transfer model to guarantee the project investors maximum returns accruing from joint property development economies of scale. Coming hot on the heels of the Nanyuki Mall property development, Mt Kenya Holidays Homes will be taking the enviable distinction as the lead multibillion economic development project around Mt Kenya region in the recent past.
“The vast Mt Kenya region has in recent years suffered economic stagnation due to lack of investors, but I am glad that a consortium of likeminded, youthful and focused Kenyans is now all set to bring the Mt Kenya Holiday Homes dream to life,” said Okumu, adding that the project will be anchored on a social economic and environmental conservation and transformation for the wider Mt Kenya region.
With a three year construction schedule, for the first phase of 20 housing units, investors at Mt Kenya Holiday Homes will also enjoy the benefits of a centrally managed tourist resort to boost the investors’ income. Among other features, the development site fronting the dormant Nairobi-Nanyuki Railway line has been secured with an electric perimeter fence secures and a manned Police Post adjacent to the entrance, giving visitors and owners that extra peace of mind.
As part of the project’s tourism development strategy, visitors to Mt Kenya Holiday Homes will be accommodated both in the Club House and in the holiday homes for those owners looking forward to earning rental income on their property. The project sponsors are optimistic that the complex will provide services to corporate clients, local and international tourists who are expected to form the bulk of visitors to Mt Kenya Holiday Homes.
Various studies have found that visitors to the larger Mt Kenya area, whether families or corporate, often have to book accommodation well in advance, as quality bed capacity in region remains scarce.
According to the Kenya Wildlife Services, the Mt Kenya circuit particularly mountain climbing product has been suffering depressed growth due to lack of bed capacity. Despite having an annual addressable market of about 300,000 persons, statistics confirm that only about 100,000 tourists have been visiting the circuit annually.
Thw writer is a Communication and Journalism Student, Moi University
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