Save Big with Beam and Block Slabs

Did you know you can cut slab costs by up to 50% using beam and block slabs on black cotton soil? In today’s tough economy, this method reduces excavation, backfilling expenses, and construction time, making it a smart choice.

Nanyuki: A Hotspot for Property Investment

Nanyuki township offers an unmissable investment opportunity. With rapidly rising land prices, improved infrastructure, and increasing commercial activity, the area is a prime real estate hub.

A Town with a Rich History

Nanyuki, a cosmopolitan town, derives its name from the Maasai word Enyaanyukie, meaning resemblance. In 1907, British settlers arrived, and some of their descendants still reside in the region. The town remained isolated due to the Laikipia plains, but the railway completion to Kisumu spurred growth. The British government encouraged European settlement to boost the economy and recover railway investments.

A Fast-Growing Population

Nanyuki’s diverse population includes settlers, army personnel, and locals. The town’s population grew from 49,233 in 2009 to 72,813 in 2019—a 6.6% annual increase, reflecting its rapid development.

The town is also a proud host of Military men ranging from the Kenya Airforce, Kenya Army, and the British Army Training Unit in Kenya (Batuk).

INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

The upgrading of the Great North Road to a dual carriageway between Kenol and Marua, and the revival of the old meter-gauge railway line from Nairobi to Nanyuki will further boost growth in the two. The road expansion is expected to reduce the current commute time from three hours to one and a half hours which will make it closer to the capital, Nairobi, leading to ease in the transportation of goods to and from the region.

Real estate experts project that the rapid development of the town that hosts Laikipia County headquarters and its metropolitan nature could effectively steal the thunder from the neighbouring Nyeri town, formerly the Central Provincial headquarters.

 EcoConcrete Ltd has contributed largely to the development of the town. This is evident in the number of projects completed in the area, from residential houses to holiday homes, and commercial buildings. Beam and block completely circumvent the area’s black cotton soil problem faced by self-builders and contractors allowing them to save time and money during construction. The slab is fully suspended and rests on the ring beam, No major excavation or backfilling is done.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The revival of the Nairobi-Nanyuki railway and the plan by the government to build a storage facility for goods transiting from Nairobi to Ethiopia has also re-energized the economy and created great promise for the already vibrant town. The statistics indicate that within three years the population in Nanyuki will be 3 million. All of these are creating a need and growth in the real estate industry that has experienced a steady rise.

The airport lies 6.5 km (4.0 mi) south of the town along the highway to Nairobi and serves light aircraft. There are regular flights operated by Air Kenya, Safarilink, and Fly SAX, which are convenient for businessmen and tourists. Tourists can visit several parks and reserves in the vicinity of Nanyuki, the most obvious one being Mount Kenya National Park. The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and the Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari Club host large numbers of tourists seeking a luxury safari experience.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

The growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) has also been cited as a reason for the positive real estate outlook. The informal sector is estimated to constitute 98 per cent of business in Kenya, contributing to 83.4 per cent of jobs as of 2018. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Economic Survey.
nanyuki township has experienced an increase in the number of SMEs due to ease in business registration which takes a maximum of 2 weeks. Nanyuki hosts several of these companies such as Mawingu Networks, all Major Banks and SACCO’S, BAT, KNIGHT FRANK, DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF, CMC, and TOYOTA. These companies require office space and housing for employees, hence driving the demand for real estate.

Approval of Building Plans

1. Obtain a Survey Plan

Visit the Survey of Laikipia offices to get a survey plan, a mandatory document for a building permit. Provide proof of land ownership and confirm the correct survey plan before receiving a payment authorization slip.

• Folio Registry Number Search – Pay Ksh.150 after obtaining the payment authorization.
• Survey Plan Fee – Once confirmed, pay Ksh.650 for the survey plan.

2. Get a Project Report from an Environmental Expert

Hire a licensed environmental expert to prepare a project report for submission to NEMA. The process takes about 5 days and costs Ksh.50,000.

3. Obtain Environmental Impact Approval

NEMA reviews and approves the environmental impact study within 30 days at 0.05% of the warehouse value (previously 0.1%). The estimated cost is Ksh.10,000.

4. Submit and Approve Architectural Plans

A structural engineer submits architectural drawings via the Development Permit System following these steps:

1. Register on the County self-service portal
2. Submit architectural plans
3. Pay permit fees – Processing takes 2-3 weeks

Approval Process

• The County Council reviews and approves the plans.
• Once approved, the governor signs them.
• Plans are scanned and uploaded for retrieval.

5. Obtain Construction Permits

Required documents:

• Proposed development details
• Survey plan from Survey of Kenya
• Ownership documents
• Up-to-date rates payment receipts
• Structural plans

Fees (Based on Building Size)

• Building plan approval – 1% of construction cost
• Construction signboard fee – Ksh.25,000
• Application fee – Ksh.5,000
• Building file inspection – Ksh.5,000
• Occupation certificate – Ksh.5,000

Approval takes approximately 45 days.

TRANSPORT SECTOR

There are three main modes of transport from Nairobi to Nanyuki – Road, Railway, and Air. Nanyuki’s distance from Nairobi is about 147 km. Travelers can get there using private means, a public Matatu, or an overland truck. There is a passenger train from Nairobi to Nanyuki every Friday which takes about 7hours. For faster travel, use local flights to Nanyuki airstrip from Wilson airport.

In Nanyuki town, the most common means of transport are Matatus and local Taxis.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES IN NANYUKI

One of the most attractive things about Nanyuki is its Nightlife. The town is lively throughout the week and vibrant over weekends. Traveler’s favorite bars and clubs are Moran Lounge, Downtown, and Checkers Club. There are many restaurants and eateries in Nanyuki town. If you are looking for delicious food, well-brewed coffee, or a place to relax, this town will not disappoint. Among the best places are KFC at Cinder Mall, Dorman’s, Urban Smoke, and the Nook.

The town is growing fast with shopping malls and centers. There are also several local markets with groceries, gifts, and wares. Cinder Mall and Nanyuki Mall are the favorites to many who visit. Fun activities to do in the town include:

• A Stop at the Equator Crossing
• Visit to Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Climbing Mt. Kenya
• Exploring the Ngare Ndare Forest
• Travel North to the Chalbi Desert
• Visit Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
• Hike in search of Mau Mau Caves

SECURITY OF THE TOWN

It’s reputed to be one of the safest towns in Mt Kenya. One of the reasons is that there are large British and Kenyan military bases in the area. The constant presence of military personnel has made the area rather safe for its residents and tourists as well.