Nyeri plans revival of night-time economy

By JAMES NGUNJIRI

The Nyeri County government is set to host an investor conference early next month as it aims to make Nyeri town a business hub.

County chief of staff Duncan Maina said the stage was set for the conference dubbed The Nyeri We Want.

He said the county’s executive committee members last week held a three-day retreat in Embu to discuss an ambitious five-year plan to steer growth in the region, particularly the town’s night-time economy.

READ: Nyeri County officials start work on Sh4.5bn

“We want residents to come and suggest what we can do to improve Nyeri,” he said.

Mr Maina was reacting to a challenge thrown at the county government by exhibitors and visitors to the recent Nyeri Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) National Show who said business in the town goes to sleep as soon as night falls.

“We are challenging the county government to consider turning Nyeri town into a 24-hour business hub to attract more investors,” said one of the exhibitors, Ms Caroline Nyawira.

The exhibitors asked the authorities to consider new ideas to wake up the town from economic slumber.

“Nyeri town literally goes to sleep by 8.30pm. Most restaurants, shops, butcheries, and M-Pesa outlets close business by 8pm while the last supermarket closes its doors by 8.30pm. Some showgoers and exhibitors could not get accommodation after this hour.”

Ms Nyawira said Nyeri’s potential had not been fully exploited.

“I expected to see people who are really aggressive, real entrepreneurs. I also expected to find a number of restaurants open after 8pm but after this hour there is no business which was really shocking.

“ I think this is a challenge to the County government which can do better than this,” said Ms Nyawira.

Mr Maina said a validation process would follow as soon as the Sh4.5 billion integrated development plan is finalised.

“We are inviting residents and other wellwishers to come to this conference so that we can get their input,” said Mr Maina.

A former Provincial Commissioner Peter Raburu banned night clubs from operating in Nyeri town for security reasons with some residents claiming the directive was the cause of the decline.