Maai Mahiu’s rise from dust bowl to gold mine

 A few years ago, it looked like a veritable wasteland; a vast swathe of land covered by dust and scraggy thorn trees. Maai Mahiu, which derives its name from the hot springs of Naivasha, had for decades failed to attract large-scale investments.

Investors had rejected the town that is less than two hours away from the capital city, Nairobi, saying it is not economically viable, leaving it to sand harvesters, small businesses and livestock traders. But now, thanks to a slew of multibillion-shilling projects being undertaken by the national government, the town’s fortunes are looking up. Key among these are the Naivasha Inland Container Depot linked to Mombasa through the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and the upcoming industrial park.

Create employment

Trade and Industrialisation Executive Raymond Komen, in an interview with the Nation, revealed that the inland port will create employment for thousands of locals especially the youth: “We are hoping for at least 10,000 direct jobs and another 20,000 in indirect employment opportunities.” Cargo destined for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi and parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo can now be transported to the Naivasha dry port from Mombasa.

Trucks then pick cargo from Maai Mahiu, for onward delivery. Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the dry port will spur industrial growth in Maai Mahiu and Naivasha.

“Naivasha is set to experience a major industrial revolution. Local and international investors have shown an interest in putting up industries within the Special Economic Zone. Many seek to benefit from the extension of the SGR,” he said. The town’s residents are upbeat over the developments.

“We expects significant growth in the hospitality, housing, and transport sectors, all of which have been hit hard by Covid-19,” said Mr Dennis Kariuki, a local businessman. Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Naivasha branch chairman Stephen Thuo said the projects are set to boost the investment profiles of Naivasha and Maai Mahiu: “Once Covid-19 is contained, Naivasha will rise as a regional economic hub.”

Industrial park

President Uhuru Kenyatta last month issued a title deed to the county government for a 50-acre plot next to the industrial park, which will be used by residents to put up shops and other businesses. Also on the cards is the Sh520 million Lake Naivasha waterfront project.

Companies that will be situated within the special economic zone will enjoy access to affordable electricity connected directly from the Olkaria geothermal power plant, critical infrastructure that will facilitate storage, export and re-export, cheap SGR transport to and from Mombasa, and special tax incentives in line with provisions of the Fiscal Incentives Act, 2015.

The Naivasha container depot has a capacity to hold two million tonnes annually. It is intended to reduce congestion at the inland port in Nairobi and the harbour in Mombasa, cut the number of trucks on the roads, and facilitate seamless transshipment of goods to neighbouring countries.

Neighbouring countries have been allocated space for logistical operations, with Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo getting space near Kedong Ranch.

Last year, the President officially opened Phase 2A of the SGR from Nairobi to Naivasha. The Sh150 billion line has four passenger stations in  Ongata Rongai, Ngong, Mai Mahiu and Suswa and an inter-change station at Nachu. It traverses Nairobi, Kajiado, Narok and Nakuru counties. The line was an extension of the Sh327billion Chinese-funded SGR from Mombasa to Nairobi.

The government has invested Sh6.5 billion in the dry port project, including a seven-kilometre link to the Mai Mahiu-Narok highway, internet and electricity connections, a business block, a perimeter wall and floodlights.

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