National Treasury urged to intensify search for investors for Konza Technology City
The site of Konza Technology City in Makueni on October 4, 2016. PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
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Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga said despite the recent launch of a new strategic plan for the Konza Techno City, the government has starved the project of funding over the years.
He said the project might turn to a white elephant because the government had taken long looking for development partners, while the National Treasury had been reluctant to release funds for the project.
The National Treasury has been urged to intensify the search for investors to finance the Sh1.48 trillion technology hub Konza Technology City.
The ministry has also been accused of starving the Konza Technopolis Development Authority of cash it needs to push through phase one of the ambitious project, which is a key pillar in the Vision 2030 blueprint.
Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga said despite the recent launch of a new strategic plan for the Konza Technology City, the government has starved the project of funding over the years.
He said the project might turn to a white elephant because the government had taken long looking for development partners, while the National Treasury had been reluctant to release funds for the project.
“There are so many non-priority projects the government is funding. The Treasury should re-organise its priorities in the next budget and allocate more money to Konza to breathe life in the first phase of the project which is underway,” he said.
So far, the government has laid infrastructure for the initiative designed to be Africa’s Silicon Savannah. The project is expected to generate Sh100 billion to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) once phase one is up and running.
“The search for investors is taking too much time and I am afraid this project, as a Vision 2030 component, is running out of steam. In the coming Budget, the Treasury should bankroll the remaining aspects of Konza’s phase one,” Mr Anyanga told the press in Nairobi on Thursday.
While launching Konza’s strategic plan recently, ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru said work was in progress at the hub.
Mr Mucheru said: “The implementation of Phase one of Konza Technopolis is already in progress and is expected to attract 30,000 residents, 7,500 knowledge workers and 16,700 other workers upon completion.”
On completion, the first leg of the project will see the city get fibre-optic links, power stations and sub-stations and a solid waste management system.
