Northlands City, a project by the Kenyatta family, is beginning to take shape years after it was commissioned. This five-hundred-billion-shilling project has necessitated the expansion of the eastern bypass connecting Mombasa road to the Thika Super Highway in anticipation of dense traffic.
The ambitious project will comprise a range of low- to high-income residential areas, an agriculture zone, schools, an industrial area, commercial space, and a central business district on an expansive parcel of land.
This detailed piece will clearly depict the real riches of the Upcoming City within Kiambu County.
Strategic Location
Northlands city spans 11,576 acres and is situated 15 kilometres from Nairobi’s central business district. The recently completed Eastern Bypass traverses the futuristic metropolitan area.
Currently, a massive chunk of this land has been designated for wildlife conservation and livestock grazing. There are also belts of eucalyptus plantations therein.
Its strategic proximity to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and central Nairobi is considered one of the major advantages for anyone seeking to conduct business or live there.
One of the project’s key objectives is to address the needs of the emerging middle class. However, it’ll comprise different areas that cater to families, young professionals, and older couples.
The city will also provide vast lower-cost housing areas to take care of low-income earners, consequently preventing the emergence of squatters or unplanned slum areas.
An Overview of Northlands City Master Plan
According to the futuristic project’s master plan, a total of 3,570 acres of farmland have been allocated for housing units. Of these, 3,134 acres have been earmarked for low-density housing, while high-density housing will cover 306 acres. On the other hand, medium-density residential housing will utilize 130 acres.
The medium-density area will have 368 housing units as flats and 680 townhouses, while the low-density housing acreage is reserved for 1,320 townhouses and 601 villas. A total of 3,100 townhouses and some 6,980 housing units on flats have been designated for high-density residential housing.
The master plan further indicates the presence of a business district near Kenyatta University and the Thika Superhighway. This district will span 390 acres.
Strategic Environmental Assessment of Northlands City
The entire Northlands City development is expected to last 50 years and will be completed in four phases. According to the Strategic Environmental Assessment conducted on the city plan by NEMA (National Environmental Management Authority), up to 250,000 will live here.
Part of the environmental assessment by NEMA reads:
“…the development will ultimately house up to 250,000 residents. It’s expected that this population will generate up to 27,000 vehicles on Thika Road and 30,000 on the Eastern Bypass daily.”
Moreover, this mixed-use proposed development will be subdivided to cater for:
The Northlands Industrial Park
Northlands City will host an industrial park on 695 acres, where 650 acres will be set aside for a logistics park and the rest designated for Brookside Dairies.
The project’s progress report indicates that the land meant for industrial development currently goes for Ksh. 40 million per acre.
Investors pumped funds into the project to develop the planned city’s infrastructure. The additional investment saw the initiation of a project to connect residents to electricity, water, internet, perimeter wall, road construction, and sewer in October 2018.
Brookside and Gicheha Farm
Brookside Dairy is the largest milk processing firm in East Africa, operating in over twelve countries. The company was established around twenty-five years ago and currently works with over 200,000 dairy farmers. Many households depend on it as their primary source of income.
At the moment, the milk processor is the sole occupier of the massive piece of land, occupying 65 acres of Northlands City. Also located on this vast land is Gicheha Farm, the company’s milk supplier.
Peponi School and Uhuru Kenyatta Secondary School
These two renowned learning institutions occupy a substantial chunk of the vast Northlands City. Both schools cover a total of eighty-six acres.
Peponi School is among the leading private institutions in the country. It comprises the Peponi Senior School and the Peponi House Kabete Preparatory School, and Kindergarten. On the other hand, Uhuru Kenyatta Secondary School will cater to Northlands City high school education.
Wildlife Conservancy and Recreation
Northlands City also has a total of 1,697 designated for open recreational space. Out of this, 266 acres are meant to house water features and other means for residents to enjoy staying in the city. Furthermore, the expansive space will have a wildlife conservancy occupying 5,156 acres.
Finally, two acres have been set aside for a clubhouse, and a hotel or shopping mall will cover 33 acres.
Indeed, residents will have vast choices of recreation activities right within Northlands City.
Final Thoughts
From all these riches that form the Northlands City, Kenyans have a lot to expect from it. Hopefully, the ambitious project by the Kenyatta family will address the housing problems facing Nairobi and place the country’s capital on the map.
