Investors pledge Sh4.8bn for Konza schools

Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA)'s chief executive officer John Tanui addresses investors during a forum held at Nairobi’s Intercontinental Hotel on Wednesday evening. PHOTO | LILIAN OCHIENG | NATION MEDIA GROUP. 

In Summary

• The commitments now set in motion Kenya’s long awaited ‘Silicon Savannah’ estimated to be worth Sh1.2 trillion.
• At a Konza briefing early October, Information and Communications Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i pledged support for local investors with well-developed plans.
• Konza is one of Kenya’s Vision 2030 flagship projects.

By LILIAN OCHIENG
More by this Author

Investors in top private and international schools have committed Sh4.8 billion towards construction of smart schools at Konza Technocity by mid next year.

The Kenya Private Schools Association (KPSA) and the International Schools Association (ISA) are expected to set up at least eight exceptional academic institutions spread out in different phases.

The government will approve architectural designs for construction of the schools early next year.

“The schools will leverage on technology to build educators well-grounded with theoretical and practical knowledge.

“They will be high standard schools that rely on talent to boost Kenya’s economy,” said Rosemary Muita, proprietor at Top Talent Academy Nairobi, also member of KPSA.

The commitments now set in motion Kenya’s long awaited ‘Silicon Savannah’ estimated to be worth Sh1.2 trillion.
Already, 24 parcels of land spread on 60 acres of Konza have been equipped with power, water and sewerage systems and phased out for development by investors.

Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA) CEO Eng John Tanui said some 345 local and international companies last year expressed interest in the project but Konza was not fully prepared to lease out land.

“We are now scouting for companies with strong financial muscle, well-defined construction plan and readiness to begin development by April 2016 and complete by close of the year,” said Eng Tanui.

At a Konza briefing early October, Information and Communications Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i pledged support for local investors with well-developed plans.

“Together with the National Treasury, I am working on a public private partnership framework that will see government source for funds to support local investors.”

Konza is one of Kenya’s Vision 2030 flagship projects. The first phase of construction was to begin in 2013. The city is expected to start operating by 2017.