I still clearly remember with nostalgia my first visit to Isiolo Town in the ‘70s as a teenager at the invitation of a relative. We spent the evening leisurely strolling around town without any worries because there were no security problems to worry about those days. The night was tranquil with clear starry sky, warm and calm environment. It was a perfect manifestation of what one would wish as the ultimate atmosphere for retirement or even an ideal holiday destination for those from the temperate world including honeymooners looking for that special getaway! We spent our night lying outside on mats not because of lack of room inside but because it was more comfortable that way. Above all, I was allowed copious supplies of soda, a rare treat for a young rural boy! The only other comparable places that I have visited with similar night environments in this country are Lamu and Lodwar. Those early fond memories of Isiolo then made me recently start thinking of how such a town could be developed to a modern metropolis that would create employment for the citizens by offering residents and visitors a sample of what is only available at the Riviera, Monaco, Sun City or even Las Vegas in the United States of America.
Isiolo Town lies on the equator, almost at the centre of our country and presents one of the best locations in this country for development of a modern city. It lies on open plains characterized by warm and clear sunny days which present the ideal environmental for growth of solar farms for electricity generation not only for the city but enough to feed the national grid. In case alternative energy source is required, wind power could be tapped to provide electricity. This is all green energy which conforms to the Kyoto Protocol and would be a viable investment for our local tycoons and international investors. Water for the city could be tapped from the springs emanating from Mount Kenya and supplemented from dams which could easily be constructed and filled from the surrounding hills and flood plains. I hope the minister for energy, Kiraitu Murungi and his colleague in the water ministry, Charity Ngilu is reading this.
We have been told that the government has plans to construct a modern airport at Isiolo and I hope it’s not going to be a white elephant like the Eldoret one that has gained notoriety as a conduit for contraband goods with little benefit to the country and the immediate community. However, from the way senior government officials including political party heads and ministers have moved in to dispossess the local inhabitants of the land nearby, it’s likely that the airport could become a reality but fail short of serving the national good due to selfish and vested interests. There are various investment options that Isiolo uniquely presents but can only be realized through serious and meticulous planning and support from the government.
There is ample space to develop luxury homes and villas similar to what you find in Monaco and the Spanish and French Riviera. These homes could be ideal retirement homes for wealthy citizens from all over the world. Tourists could also use the facilities for holidays to relax and escape the harsh weather in their countries. The tourism minister, Najib Balala and the newly appointed Kenya Tourist Board Chairman, Michael Joseph, the former CEO of Safaricom and who incidentally has a home nearby may take this free advice for further exploitation.
Kenya is well known for Borana beef cattle that are reared in the ranches surrounding Isiolo and by the pastoralist communities. The cattle keepers among the Meru, Borana and Samburu could be facilitated through credit facilities, provision of water, quality feeds and veterinary services to produce quality beef for the domestic and export markets. Their efforts together with that of the ranches could allow our country to compete at the world stage with the green ox beef of Brazil. The minister for livestock development Mohamed Kuti comes from Isiolo and would be advised to take heed.
Meru is the prime producer of miraa (Catha endulis) in the world that has to be transported from Maua to Nairobi daily, a distance of 300 km, in pickup trucks at breakneck speeds on narrow roads. The construction of the Isiolo airport will cut down this distance tenfold and ensure the produce reaches the market at the prescribed time and also reduce the road traffic accidents that have claimed many lives over the years. The only small problem here is that almost all the international marketing of miraa is handled by members of the Somali community whose international trade is now on the radar screens of the Western powers for reasons best known to them. I hope the ministers for trade and agriculture, Amos Kimunya and Sally Kosgei respectively will take proactive measures so that we are not caught flat footed in case of restrictions or ban in miraa trade.
The area near Isiolo from the Meru side is well known for quality tea and coffee production. The airport will therefore open a viable gateway for export of these commodities. Horticulture and floriculture production could also be expanded due to the proximity of the airport. Small scale farming in green houses is another technology that awaits exploitation particularly for the farmers in the marginal area that surrounds Isiolo. The opening up of Isiolo by developing it to a modern city, tourist center with a modern airport will no doubt make it the Las Vegas of Kenya and a choice destination and home for all! But before that we need to overcome our sloppy planning and implementation records!
No comments:
Post a Comment