This archive report shows how Nakuru County was emerging as a major investment destination, with Ngata standing out as the strongest performer in the land market.
Hass Consult’s Kenya County Land Report placed Ngata among the top climbers, ahead of Utange, Kitengela, Embakasi and Bamburi. The report said land in Ngata averaged Sh6.4 million per acre at the end of 2017, up from Sh5.6 million in 2016 and Sh3.4 million in 2012.
“Land prices in Ngata town rose by 20.66 percent in 2017, making it the best performing town of all the 75 towns surveyed,” the report said.
Infrastructure and water projects ¶
County officials linked the rise in investor interest to transport links and public works. Tourism and Trade CEC Dr Peter Ketyenya said the road network, airstrips and the approval of an airport had strengthened Nakuru’s appeal to investors.
He also said the county was carrying out upgrades across 55 wards under the Boresha Barabara programme to deal with growing traffic.
The county said the Sh34 billion Itare dam would help ease water shortages in Kuresoi, Njoro, Ngata, Rongai and Nakuru towns. Once complete, the dam is expected to produce 100,000 cubic meters of water a day and serve more than 800,000 residents with piped water.
The second phase of the 120km SGR from Nairobi to Naivasha was also expected to lift land values in Mai Mahiu, Longonot and Naivasha, while attracting more investors to the corridor.
Tourism, hospitality and events ¶
Tourism in the county was also expanding, according to the Nakuru County Tourism Association. Chairman David Mwangi said the hotel sector was growing quickly because of rising investment demand.
He said three high-end hotels — Ole Ken, Sarova Woodlands and Lake Naivasha Resort — had opened in the previous year, and more projects were in the pipeline. “In the next one year, there will be more high-end facilities opening up in different parts of the county,” Mwangi said.
Religious and medical tourism were also gaining ground. The recently launched Margaret Kenyatta Mother-Baby Wing at Nakuru Level Five Hospital was expected to receive referrals from neighbouring counties.
Local businesses and the county government were also using major events to market the region. Among the activities mentioned were the International Tourism Day celebrations at Lake Nakuru National Park in September, the World Tourism Day event, the World Food Day celebrations and a planned International Investor’s conference by December.
Agriculture and fisheries remain important ¶
Agriculture continued to contribute heavily to the county economy. In 2017, Nakuru generated more than Sh23 billion from horticulture alone. In 2016, the county produced about 180,388 tons of maize valued at Sh2.91 billion.
The report said the county could produce more than 500,000 tons of maize if modern farming methods were adopted. It also noted that output had been falling because of pests and diseases, changing climate conditions and post-harvest losses.
Lake Naivasha remained another major economic asset. The lake supported about 100 boats, 1,760 fishing nets, more than 704 fishermen directly and over 3,000 people indirectly. Fish production reached 1,080 metric tonnes in 2016, valued at Sh141.9 million, with supplies sold locally and exported outside the county.
