A look into the archives unveils a thesis published by the University of Nairobi in 1992 “Industrialization of Athi River town” by CALEB MC’ MIRERI (today he is Prof. Mireri).
In introducing the paper, the scholar makes two assumptions:
(a) That Athi River town has great potential for
industrial development.
(b) That through proper planning and development
co-ordination, full potentials can be tapped with
minimal adverse effects.
At the time (1992), the industrial sector contributed to 27% of the GDP, ranking second after agriculture. Twenty eight years later, the sector contributes 16%, agriculture 34% and services 43.2%.
Although the fast returns on investment yielded by sectors such as the real estate may be so seductive to an economy, history teaches us that we should not disregard the ever present coconuts for the seasonal mangos (Swahili proverb loosely translated, of course).
Mireri’s faith in Athi River town was not far fetched because the rate of industrial growth in Athi River town was at 10% which was much higher than the projected national growth rate of 6.4%. The employment growth rate at the same period of time in the town was 10.6% which was more than twice the projected 4.4%.
Some of the factors that suffocated the growth potential of the town were lack of an uptown-date plan to guide the growth of the town and a lag in the infrastructural provision needed by the town. According to Mireri, to harness the full industrial development potential of Athi River town will require proper planning and co-ordination of development activities.
Today Athi River and other satellite towns of Nairobi like Syokimau, Mlolongo and Kitengela are in the middle of what could be one of the greatest infrastructural interventions for Nairobi and its environs. The Nairobi Expressway is set to significantly reduce travel time through the city of Nairobi.
An industry processing raw materials in Athi River in the next two years shall be able to transport products through the city of Nairobi to Limuru and its environs with minimum time wastage. The dualling of the road section between Machakos turnoff and Mlolongo, will also significantly impact the areas beyond Athi River town which are set to benefit from the growth opportunities that will come with the project.
To embrace the Nairobi Expressway is more than just looking at how it will benefit Nairobi as a town. It is to also look outwards and see what opportunities it will create for the fast growing outskirts of Nairobi. The road creates the opportunity for growth, and the people will determine what growth trajectory will be. The benefits of nurturing the industrial sector for a country like Kenya are priceless.