Nairobi, Tuesday October 6th, 2020: Plans are underway to set up the Centre for Construction Industry Development (CCID) at the Konza Technopolis.
During a visit to the Technopolis, Principal Secretary for State Department of Public Works, Major General (Rtd), Dr. Gordon Kihalangwa said the construction of the centre by the National Construction Authority (NCA) will begin in a year’s time.
“By creating such a centre we will ensure that from time to time our people are educated and proper guidelines in the construction industry outlined so that challenges in the construction centre are addressed. We are hoping that within a year or so we should have already begun construction,” Major General Kihalangwa said.
Dr. Kihalangwa who led a delegation from the NCA to the Technopolis for a pre-development site visit said they had always wanted to create a Centre of Excellence for the country’s vibrant construction industry.
“It is an industry that employs both citizens and foreigners and it is good to ensure that we have a Centre of Excellence where some of the challenges we face are addressed,” he added.
Already, three parcels of land have been earmarked for the development of the CCID.
Present during the visit were Board Chairman of the NCA, Qs. David Gaitho, Executive Director of NCA, Eng. Maurice Akech and Chief Executive Office of Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA), Eng. John Tanui.
Dr. Kihalangwa said they were happy with the progress made on the horizontal infrastructure at the Technopolis which has taken into account aspects such as drainage, water and roads.
“The ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is doing a commendable job and this will be a game changer. I’m happy to be associated with the project,”he added.
He also urged Government agencies to utilize the capacity within the department of public works, pointing out that KoTDA was already doing so.
While speaking during the visit, KoTDA CEO, Eng Tanui said more than 40 % of the 145 parcels under Phase One of the project had already been taken up.
“Phase One of the Technopolis has spaces of about 145 parcels available for development. As of now we have over 40 % of these parcels already taken up,” he said.
Investors at the Konza Technopolis, the CEO further said, are drawn from both public sector and private entities. The investors include a South African specialized hospital, an American Hospital, Software development companies, Real estate developers including offices, hotel and residential houses.
He also said that Konza was working with the State department of urban development and the director of physical planning in collaboration with the counties of Kajiado, Machakos and Makueni, to have a joint team to guide developments within the 10Km buffer zone at the Technopolis.
“It is very important for us to see that we add value to this 10km buffer zone by outlining one thing that will work to ensure approval is aligned to the Master Plan of the Konza Technopolis and planning of the three counties, for the mutual benefit of all,” he said.