A real estate developer plans to clear over 300 acres of coffee plantations in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, to pave the way for the construction of 10,000 modern housing units.
The project, being undertaken by Superior Homes Developer at a cost of Sh30 billion, seeks to address the huge demand for modern houses in the county and its environs, according to the company’s Chief Executive Shiv Arora.
Arora said the project should not be viewed as a threat to prime agricultural land in the country but as one to address housing needs in urban centres.
He explained that the coffee plantation would be cleared in phases over a period of 25 years that the project targeted to take.
He also pointed out that every portion of land taken up by the housing project would be replaced by a similar size for agricultural activities, making sure environmental considerations are put in place.
“We shall be replacing similar land size consumed in the real estate with other agricultural activities in other areas. Also, we don’t intend to clear the coffeebushes at once. It’s a mega project that is set to take up to 25 years,” Arora explained.
He said the push comes due to the increased demand for modern housing in the area, given that it is strategically placed close to Nairobi County.
He added that other modern amenities, including schools, hospitals, and supermarkets, among others, would be put up in the gated estate.
“This mega project will help in addressing the huge housing demands in this part of Kiambu County as well as the neighbouring Nairobi city. It will be done in phases and will take some years to complete,” he said.
This new development comes even as more prime agricultural land in the County is being converted into real estate, posing future challenges of food security.
In recent years, large portions of agricultural land, mainly coffee farms in Ruiru Sub County, have been converted to commercial housing projects or industrial spaces, including the 5,000 Tatu City and Oaklands, among others.
By Muoki Charles
