Politics and policy
Sh85bn Naivasha golf city building starts by October
Moody Awori, former Vice President, lays a foundation stone for Longonot Gate project in Naivasha on August 4, 2012, that will involve construction of over 1,500 holiday homes, 18-hole world class golf course and numerous social amenities. Photo/Courtesy
Posted Tuesday, August 7 2012 at 20:50
Plot owners at the Sh85 billion integrated housing development dubbed Longonot Gate in Naivasha can start construction by October, the management said during the weekend ground-breaking ceremony.
The promoters of the 2,400-acre serviced-plot project said they had completed putting in place basic infrastructure such as security, access roads, and bore holes to allow for the commencement of construction.
In a bid to attract investors, the management has, in the past six months, graded access roads linking the facility to Mai Mahiu and Moi South Lake roads, dug bore holes, and constructed a 14 kilometre electric fence around the property.
Project chairman Lee Karuri said it would take three years to fully put in place infrastructure.
People will be able to live in their houses in the next two years.
“The three-year journey to build the entire infrastructure including the 18-hole golf course has begun,” said Mr Karuri.
Sh120 billion Aberdare Hills estate and Osotua Villas are the other two major luxury housing projects coming up in the area, an indication of rising demand for housing by the emerging upper class.
The resort cities enjoy access to key tourist attractions such as Hell’s Gate National Park, Lake Naivasha, and Mt Longonot.
The project is also targeting investors to set up commercial services such as a polo field, an office park, spa site, cemetery, school and hospital.
Half an acre of land in phase two of the project costs Sh4 million, up from Sh2 million last year, due to high demand. Naivasha is about 70 kilometres from Nairobi making it attractive for those seeking to live in a serene semi-urban environment with ease of access to the capital city.
The project will be built around a golf resort theme, targeting the upper and middle classes who intend to own holiday homes.
Longonot Gate is expected to accommodate 1,500 homes, a commercial centre with tourist hotels and shopping outlets, and a golf course. Completion of three major golf estates will place Naivasha as a top destination for real estate investments by wealthy Kenyans.
Like Longonot Gate, Aberdare Hills has been designed to include an 18-hole golf course, a five-star hotel, and high-end villas.
Similar projects
The government has encouraged setting up of similar projects in several parts of the country.
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