British investor who draws inspiration from Rudisha

Nigel Rowley the MD, Medina Palms, Watamu. Photo/FILE 

By WANGUI MAINA

In Summary

Nigel Rowley – MD, Medina Palms, Watamu
Age: ‘‘I’m young’’
Education:

• Cheltenham College
• Surrey University - Chemical Engineering

Nigel Rowley is an energetic, friendly and extremely funny guy. The Briton has always had a soft spot for Kenya, having first visited 25 years ago.

Over the years, he has continued to visit the country and is involved in conservation work, especially Born Free, a wildlife conservation group, that he has raised funds for.

Six years ago, he drew some of his savings and convinced private investors to put their money, about Sh1 billion, into the construction of a high-end property, Medina Palms, in Watamu.

I met him barely two weeks after the Westgate Shopping Mall terrorist attack and despite the incident he is still optimistic about the country’s future. During our interview he kept standing up to demonstrate his point.

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You are back in the country just after Westgate and talking about new investments. What’s your view of Kenya?

Because I’m not Kenyan I have a different perspective. I see the beautiful and the opportunities in the country. I’m confident about Kenya. I see a great future.

What inspired you to invest in Kenya and the Coast specifically?

For me Kenya is so investable. It’s an emerging nation with growth driven by an aspiring middle class. Our holidays always included the Coast, which is more a middle level tourist destination with few high-end properties, compared to the Safari circuit. We did market research and saw there was an opportunity for a high-end property like Medina.

How did you end up coming to Kenya, the first time?

It was the case of a friend of a friend who recommended that we, my wife and I, come. We came for 20 days a typical holiday in a Land Rover, tented camp and loved it. After that we kept coming back. That was long ago.

So where do you see this country in 25 years?

I used to go to India a lot, all I saw was poverty but look at the country now. I have seen similar changes in Kenya ‘pole pole’. We see little bumps now and again, but the country has a great ability to come back.

Are you in the country often or run the property from the UK?

Every four weeks. It gives my team some space to breath.

You are that kind of boss, people sigh with relief when you are gone or?

I never use the word boss, I’m the mzee in the village; the guy who has created an opportunity for people. We are a more laid back organisation.

Every time you land at JKIA what comes to mind?

Another blue sky in Kenya. In London it’s a grey sky. My last trip I arrived two days after the fire at the airport, people were worried what they would find, chaos, but Kenya has a way of sorting itself out.

I meet a bunch of people with a sincere welcoming smile, organisation, computers working...you
have to love it.

You have travelled extensively, what’s your favourite destination?

Watamu. I feel at home there.

Will you retire there?

I don’t do retire, what’s that funny word. (Laughs). I love it here, I have a house here.

What is the most extreme thing you have done?

Three years ago I cycled over 2,000 kilometres, to raise money for Born Free.

Are you a keen cyclist?

If you ask me to cycle 10 kilometres today I can’t do it. I put my mind to it then and trained hard. I hadn’t been on a bike since I was 19, I hate cycling.

Any other adventures lined up in the future?

Five years ago we took the longer route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, for Born Free. I’m now looking for a challenge (laughs). Maybe I should ask people to suggest one, that would make a good social media campaign.