This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
Located 30 kilometers from Naivasha town, Maai Mahiu has undergone a remarkable transformation from a dusty border town to a thriving business hub. The recent establishment of the Special Economic Zone has brought about a surge in economic activity, with the Inland Container Depot and SGR terminus already operational.
The Inland Depot Container, located within the 1,000-acre Kedong ranch off the Maai Mahiu-Narok road, is now complete. This facility is expected to play a crucial role in the collection of cargo bound for Uganda and beyond.
According to Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia, the completion of the depot will create thousands of jobs in the coming months. He also highlighted the cost-saving benefits of the modern railway, which will reduce transportation costs by up to $450 per shipment.
With four cargo trains expected to arrive daily at the depot, the SGR has reduced the distance from Mombasa to Malaba by 600 kilometers, cutting the travel time from 48 hours to just 10 hours.
Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui has announced plans to address supporting infrastructure, including hospitals and trading centers, to accommodate travelers. To this end, he has suspended land subdivision between Maai Mahiu and Naivasha towns to prevent the mushrooming of informal settlements.
Before the dust settles, Danish Brewing Company EA is set to establish a Sh4.5 billion plant at the industrial park, further boosting the local economy.
Published on June 6, 2020, in The Standard.
