Developments News Magazine

Construction of the Kenya-Ethiopia electricity highway is well underway with the facility expected to go live in April next year, Kenya Electricity Transmission Company’s managing director has said. Fernandez Barraza said work is complete on the Ethiopian section – which is shorter – while Kenya’s segment is over 90 per cent ready and on course for completion early next year. The 1,045-km Kenya-Ethiopia power line (433 km in Ethiopia and 612 km in Kenya) will enable Kenya to import cheaper electricity from hydroelectric projects in Ethiopia while setting stage for inter-regional trade in energy. The 500 KV electricity highway, which runs from Wolayita Sodo in Ethiopia to Suswa in Kenya, will have power transportation capacity of 2,000MW in either direction. It will be the region’s first 500kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line. “Currently, the 400kV Loiyangalani-Suswa 435km line built last year and connecting Turkana wind farm to the national grid holds the top spot in the re...

The much awaited dueling of the Kenol-Isiolo dual road is scheduled to begin next month, the government has announced. Speaking in Mukurweini, Nyeri, a week ago, Deputy President William Ruto said works for 80-km highway will get underway in the next 30 days, bringing into reality a project that seeks to further ease transportation and trade in the Northern Corridor. The project, which is estimated to cost Sh50 billion, is financed by the African Development Bank. It is, however, not clear whether or not the government has finalized funding and procurement issues of the project based on the timelines that were given earlier by Transport and Infrastructure CS James Macharia. Mr Macharia had in January said the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) was designing of the Nyeri-Isiolo stretch, having completed the Kenol-Nyeri segment in readiness for the commencement of the bidding process to determine the budget. “The actual cost will be determined once we do bidding. That will be...

The transmission line nearing completion to link Kenya to its northern neighbour Ethiopia for regional electricity trade comes with many firsts. For starters, the 1,045km line (433 km in Ethiopia and 612 km in Kenya) is the longest in East and Central Africa. Construction is complete on the Ethiopia’s side, being shorter, while Kenya’s side is over 90 per cent complete and is expected to go live early next year. The line, interconnecting at the Moyale common border, has the capacity to carry 2,000 megawatts of electricity in either direction, the capacity being higher than Kenya’s current maximum consumption (peak demand) of about 1,900 MW. On Kenya’s side, it’s being built by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company (Ketraco). With the line, comes yet another first. It’s set to be the region’s first 500kV high-voltage direct current (HVDC) line. Currently, the 400kV Loiyangalani-Suswa 435km line built last year and connecting Turkana wind farm to the national grid holds the top...

A group of foreign investors led by Italian billionaire Franco Rosco are pushing forward plans to set up a 61-floor luxury hotel-cum-residential project in Watamu, Kilifi County, in a development that will gift Kenya its tallest building. Trading as Palm Exotica, the investors are now seeking the nod of the National Environmental Management Authority (Nema) to commence construction of the facility on a 2.4-acre parcel of land at Dabaso, Turtle Bay Road in Kilifi. According to regulatory filings seen by CK, the investors say the property – to be known as Palm Exotica – will be a mix-use development comprising a 270-bedroom five-star hotel, a high-end shopping mall, executive offices and apartments, a casino, and restaurants. The luxury hotel will be operated by a yet-to-be disclosed global hospitality chain with several hotel floors reserved for presidential suites. “This mixed-use development is for the discerning traveller who appreciates life’s finer things. Sky rooftop restauran...

Emira Property Fund is set to complete the total refurbishment of its 9,800sqm warehouse facility superbly located in the popular industrial hub of Denver, Johannesburg, by March 2019. The leading JSE-listed REIT is investing R8.2 million in the major revamp project, which will bring the industrial property on this prime site on the corner of Mimetes Road and Kruger Street to the forefront of modern business accommodation. “By refurbishing our Denver warehouse Emira is furthering our strategy to improve the quality of our assets. This property is part of our core portfolio because it has great fundamentals in place; an excellent location in an established industrial area, easy highway access, security, and ample electrical power. Now, with this upgrade, we are refreshing the building to support the latest warehousing and business operations,” says Ulana van Biljon, Chief Operating Officer of Emira Property Fund. When the refurbishment project is completed the facility will offer co...

Lagos, 10th January 2019 - The investment in Palmares Beach & Golf Resort is an opportunity of a lifetime in a setting inspired by the philosophy of good living. The 22 plots to develop tailor-built detached villas with 180-degree panoramic views to the ocean were launched in an integrated resort of golf, luxury tourism and supported by 5-star hotel services: “these properties are unique (…) we have the opportunity to develop unique properties with sea views which is very rare”, mentions António Pinto Coelho, Operations General Director of Palmares. The natural shape of the land is that of an amphitheatre, descending from 70m to sea level, from which you enjoy 180-degree panoramic views. These views take in the estuary, the ocean and the bay of Lagos, in front of which is set the magnificent 27-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones II, already awarded the best golf course in Portugal seven times and considered one of the best top courses in Europe. The 20 room Boutique ...

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo is constructing a Ksh80 million mansion which will serve as the official residence. According to People Daily, the governor insisted that he will continue with the construction plans despite opposition from leaders including the Senator, George Khaniri. "The Governor's residence which will cost Ksh80 million will act as a symbol of authority," Governor Ottichilo stated. Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo Senator Khaniri opposed the project by the County boss indicating that it should not be a priority at the moment. Speaking during the launch of 2018/2022 County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), Ottichilo indicated that the plans of building the house were already at an advanced stage and those opposed to it should keep off. The Senate, in July 2018, ordered Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo not to authorise any funds for constructing houses for governors and speakers. The order also froze the "exor...

12 November 2018 (PSCU) – Kenya targets to attain 100 per cent transition to green energy by 2020 as it scales up investment in renewable energy to address the climate change challenge concretely, President Uhuru Kenyatta has said. President Kenyatta pointed out that, in concrete terms, renewable energy makes up 70 per cent of Kenya’s installed electric power capacity. The President said the aggressive investments to reach this figure have been made simultaneously with Kenya almost tripling the size of its population served by the electricity grid to more than 60 per cent of the population. “Our target is to attain 100 per cent green energy sufficiency by 2020. We will do this while we achieve 100 per cent access to power for our population, and sharply lower costs to industry to aid our manufacturing push,” President Kenyatta said. The Kenyan leader spoke on Sunday during a roundtable discussion on "Don't drop climate efforts" session of Paris Peace Forum in France. Spe...

Kenya on Monday signed a Sh519 billion Joint Co-operation Agreement with the European Union (EU) to support government programmes between 2018 and 2022. The funds in the form of concessional loans and grants will be primarily channeled towards President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Big 4 Agenda. The second phase of the co-operation agreement attracted 19 EU member states with the first one between 2014 and 2018 having brought 10 on board. “EU has been a big development partner to Kenya and I want to assure that the support which will be in grants will be well used towards the realization of our government’s Big Four Agenda. "The support will be distributed to different ministries and sectors such us Devolution Ministry to ensure county government deliver their services effectively,” stated Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich.

SANBORN, New York (Nov. 20, 2018) — KINSHOFER, a global leader in high-quality excavator and loader crane attachments, offers railway Tie/Sleeper Changer attachments for efficient railway maintenance and repair. The three attachments — the RBS, RBS20 and RBS20HPX — can be used with 12- to 24-ton rail excavators to quickly exchange existing concrete and wooden ties without disrupting the track. The RBS20 can also switch from handling standard mono-block ties to bi-block ties with no modification, thanks to internally and externally fitted pads. “Railroad crews don’t have time to bring in large tie exchangers for quick repairs and maintenance; it’s a cumbersome and time-consuming process,” said Francois Martin, KINSHOFER North America general manager. “Our Tie Changers enable quick and easy repairs with a machine that’s readily available — an excavator. An experienced operator can change as many as 40 sleepers per hour with one of our attachments.” KINSHOFER designed the tie changer...