Huge coffee estates that once lay behind Kenyatta University are today gradually transforming into one of Kenya’s premier mixed use development. Welcome to Tatu City, a project aligned with the visions of both Nairobi County and Kenya’s Vision 2030.
According to Kenya’s Urbanisation review by World Bank, Kenya is at an early stage of urbanisation. However, by 2050 about half of the population will be living in cities. Currently, about 27 per cent of Kenyans live in urban areas. In addition, the country is urbanising at about 4.3 per cent a year, which has the potential to drive economic growth.
Tatu City, a revolutionary urban development, will ease off the pressure of urbanisation currently on Nairobi. It will also create a unique living environment and business opportunities for Kenya’s growing economy. Tatu City’s Special Economic Zone status provides reduced corporate taxes, customs and excise duty exemptions, VAT benefits, profit and capital repatriation at reduced rates, as well as enhanced intellectual property rights, among other benefits.
The multi-billion-shilling City formally kicked off its first residential development, Kijani Ridge, in 2015 at a ground-breaking ceremony presided over by former Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade Amina Mohamed, former Kiambu County Governor William Kabogo and U.S. Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec. Kijani Ridge is a gated community offering ¼ and ½ acre serviced plots. Phase 1 and 2 are sold out while phase 3 has seen a 30% uptake since it was opened in May this year. Construction of houses is ongoing and the first resident is to move in next month.
Tatu is not a speculative project. The Nova Pioneer School (boys, girls high school and primary sections) is already in operation teaching over 1,000 students.
The JSE-listed ADvTECH Crawford International School is set to open its doors in September 2018. The school will cater for all ages of students from Kindergarten to A-levels, equipped with modern facilities and boarding for senior students.
Tatu Industrial Park (TIP) is already hosting Dormans ; grade-A logistics & warehousing company Africa Logistics Properties ; metal and plastic packaging firm Friendship Container Manufacturers; producer and packager of animal feeds Cooper K-Brands; refueler of gas cylinders Hunkey Energy; manufacturer of laundry bar soap Pharma Medical; manufacturer of gas cylinders Tianlong; tissue paper manufacturer Chandaria Industries; and personal care, hygiene, health and nutrition brands Kim-Fay East Africa Ltd. Phase 1 of TIP is 75 percent occupied and due to demand Phase 2 is now open for sales.
Tatu is a project of Rendeavour, Africa’s largest urban land developer with over 30,000 acres of visionary projects in Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Once complete Tatu City will be home to more than 150,000 residents and tens of thousands of day visitors as it creates employment during its phased development. The mixed-use development will encompass homes, schools, offices, a shopping district, medical clinics, nature areas, a sport and entertainment complex, and manufacturing precincts.
Rendeavour’s vision goes beyond alleviating what is a self-evident problem, that of stifling urban congestion and a dearth of quality housing and commercial property in Africa. Further, the company aims at creating modern infrastructure – both living and working spaces, communities, schools and hospitals – that will help sustain and accelerate Africa’s economic growth. The objective is to meet the aspirations of Africa’s increasing middle class and serve as a catalyst for further urban development.
