We are all familiar with the Vision 2030 dream on which all the sectors of the Kenyan economy are being anchored. Vision 2030 has also been devolved to the county level where each segment of the county government is projecting its development towards achieving Vision 2030. First there were the Global Millennium Goals where Kenya and other African countries failed miserably. However the 2030 vision is more friendly and i believe achievable. It is on this onset that the Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan introduced theNairobi Metro Vision 2030 in July 2008. It realized that in order to realize its 2030 goals, it was of utmost importance that bypasses should be created all round the city to ease transport and improve mobility. Well, this involved the expansion of Thika Road into an 8 lane superhighway.
With the expansion of the bypasses it was believed that real estate development would move to Athi River, Kitengela and areas along Mombasa Rd. It was even thought that the areas along Thika Road all the way to Sabasaba would be left as mere agricultural hubs that feed the urban Nairobi population.
Well the obvious does not happen all the time. The minute the Chinese contractors started their surveying, prices for parcels of land shot to the ceiling. I remember 18 months ago there was this pieces of land past Kenol which were viewed too far from the real action. Plots were just fetching some hundreds thousands but i just enquired a few days ago, and they were asking for some 2 million.
Although majority of property developers had already eyed Thika Road and the Thika suburbs, Thika Road expansion acted as an extra impetus. It just takes less than 30 minutes to Nairobi plus the natural fresh air that is soo scarce in Nairobi. Why would you then surrender all this to live in those overpopulated Nairobi estates while you can easily buy a plot, develop or even buy a home in Thika.
Take a breath, you have all heard of Thika Greens. A visit to their website is enough to understand why you need a breath. Comprising of three estates built in an area of 1700 acres, the developmet that kickstarted in 2008 is meant to deliver upto 4000 homes according to the Thika Greens website. After completion the houses will then be availed to the public at affordable prices. Its a dream of every human to own a decent and affordable home and Thika Greens would be a perfect place.
Bahati Ridge Home: Less than 3km off Blue Post Hotel along the Gatanga Road sits a new face of residential development. Bahati Rdidge Homes is inspired by rural country setting with green maize plantations, towering eucalyptus trees and dozens of chirping birds in the background. That is the blend of life that Bahati Ridge Homes presents. A mixture of cottages, bungalows and villas .
When talking of property and real estate in Thika its impossible to forget the Kivulini apartments along Thika Garissa Road. They are just a few metres from the Thika Garissa Highway and a 10 minute drive from the Thika Superhighway. Long time ago when propery developers were still planning attacks along the Thika Superhighway, the Thika Garrissa Road was already steps ahead. Beautiful maissonetes and apartments set in a 5 acres of prime land is what Kivulini offers. Anytime you are in Thika you can visit the place.
This is just a tip of the iceberg on properties and real estate developments in Thika. It just a peek at the some of the gated community establishments. More is on the way.
This brings me to the initial question, what is the relationship between property developments and road expansion..Fodder for thought
pictures courtesy of Google
