This archive report was first published on 9 July 2020.
Meru town's skyline is on the cusp of a significant transformation with the commencement of construction on the Sh6 billion Praise Mall. Located on the bank of the Kathita river, at the entrance of the town's Central Business District, the ambitious project is expected to take three years to complete.
Already, the Jesus House of Praise church, which had occupied the mall's space for several years, has vacated the plot to pave the way for the project. The Praise Mall, which will become the tallest building in the region, is almost twice the height of a 17-floor building inside Chuka University in neighboring Tharaka Nithi County.
According to Bishop Kiogora Magambo of the Jesus House of Praise church, the project is a mixed-use development initiative that will host malls, supermarkets, hotels, hospitals, banks, office space, modern conference facilities, and serviced apartments. In addition, there will be a church auditorium.
Magambo described the project as 'thoughtfully planned' and expressed optimism that it will create job opportunities for locals. 'It is a signature building which will define Meru and the entire Mt Kenya region,' he said.
Local leaders, including Municipality MCA Elias Murega and farmer Gakii Karimi, are also upbeat about the project. Murega expects the tower to lead to more business in Meru town, while Karimi believes that farmers in the area will supply food to the supermarkets, hospitals, and hotels in the building.
The main contractor in the project is Jianxi Jingtai Water Conservancy and Electric Power Construction Ltd.
