How August 2022 elections will impact Real Estate Market in Tharaka Nithi

Tharaka Nithi, with 213,154 registered voters is a United Democratic Alliance stronghold as we approach the August polls. Chuka, the economic hub of the county, has experienced tremendous growth in the real estate sector. In this article, we want to look at how August polls will impact real estate market in Tharaka Nithi.

Facts about Tharaka Nithi

The county of Tharaka-Nithi is located in Kenya’s former Eastern Province. The county has an area of 2609 km² and as of the 2019 census a population of 393,177. Tharaka-Nithi County is home to the Chuka, Muthambi, and Mwimbi and Tharaka sections of the Ameru community. Main economic activities in the county include farming with the agricultural produce including tea, coffee, horticulture, cotton, millet, maize, sorghum, cowpeas and cassava. Pastoralism is practiced with livestock being kept. Other economic activities include mining of kaolin, sand and stone quarrying.

Places to visit in Tharaka Nithi

There are various tourist attraction sites that have influenced the real estate market in Tharaka Nithi. Some of the tourist attraction sites include:

Mount Kenya National Park
Waterfalls of Tharaka Nithi
Kibuuka Falls
Lake Michaelson
Kiera Viewpoint
The Mighty Mutunguruni
Mutejwa Reserve

Tharaka Nithi’s main attractions mainly include an expansive landscape of great scenic beauty, wildlife diversity, cultural sites and mountain climbing.

Chuka Town

Although Kathwana is the county headquarters of Tharaka Nithi County, Chuka Town is the biggest economic hub in the county. Chuka is home to many hotels, banks, the County Referral Hospital and a number of schools. It is also home to a modern open market at the center of town.

Businesses thrive since Chuka lies along a road that connects it with Moyale at the border with Ethiopia and Nairobi City. The road is also the shortest route for Miraa dealers from Maua to Nairobi and beyond. Many people who visit Chuka are impressed by the level of cleanliness in the town; garbage bins placed everywhere make it easy for revelers not to litter. All major streets are tarmacked so that people can walk without being muddy even during rainy seasons or late at night when streetlights illuminate them brightly so that they can see their way safely home.

Estates in Tharaka Nithi

Some of the best residential areas to stay in Tharaka Nithi include:

Kaaris Residence
Gitonga Kauni
Munyari Residence
Kathumi Residence
Muthaiga Divine Residence

Tharaka Nithi Real Estate Market

Chuka town, in the last decade, has gone from a dusty rural town to a sprawling metropolis that boasts of high-rise buildings and street lights. The town’s tremendous growth and influx of investors have led to an increase in property rates, which has led real estate agencies to open shops in Chuka.

A decade ago, a quarter acre of land in Ndagani where Chuka University is located used to sell at between Sh250,000 and Sh300,000.Today, you can hardly find land that big. This is because land owners have sub-divided their parcels to drive up profits. Five points of land are now selling at between Sh600,000 and Sh700,000.

The establishment of Chuka University spurred an urge to invest in real estate. Five years ago, people had no use for an agent because property transactions were carried out between individuals. But as more outsiders came in and property transactions grew, a need for property agencies developed.

While campaigning for Raila Odinga in Tharaka Nithi, Kalonzo Musyoka promised the residents some goodies. He said that because of his family ties and friendships forged in Tharaka Nithi, he understands the challenges that residents face. These include lack of water, land title deeds, food security and infrastructure. He said that Gideon Moi and him will work to ensure that residents receive title deeds; one of the major issues that have fanned conflicts in the region. If implemented, these promises will solve land issues in the area. Improved infrastructure will also spur real estate market in Tharaka Nithi.

While in the same region, William Ruto indicated that the construction of a giant dam would be implemented within one year into his term as head of state. The deputy president said the dam would provide water across Tharaka Nithi County after its completion, an incentive for investors in real estate.

Hotels in Tharaka Nithi

Tharaka Nithi has some of the best hotel accommodation facilities the larger central Kenya region. Some of the best hotels in Tharaka Nithi include:

Lowlands Hotel and Spa
Hillside Grand Hotel
Mountain Breeze Guest House
Legacy Star Hotel
Kilimo Talii Hotel
Snow Peak Hotel
Orient Hotel
Transit Motel
Ritam Getaways Hotel
Lizlo Hotel

Roads in Tharaka Nithi

The movement between Mutindwa and Gitombaani areas in Chogoria, Maara Sub County has been eased after Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki commissioned a sh6 million bridge linking the two villages. This bridge will improve access of resources and services within the area. This has been the latest road development in Tharaka Nithi. Most local and national leaders have also promised better quality roads.

Construction sector in Tharaka Nithi

Some of the recent development projects undertaken in Tharaka Nithi include:

Construction of three water harvesting structures aimed at increasing sustainable food production and sustainable management of natural resources for provision of environmental services.
Construction of sewerage network comprising 16km of secondary sewers,13km of trunk sewers and sewerage treatment works capacity 550m3/day which will serve 6840 people in the county.

The above development projects have attracted potential investors which has spurred the real estate market in Tharaka Nithi.

Conclusion

Tharaka Nithi County has the potential of becoming a great economic hub in the lower eastern region. Electing of responsible and accountable leaders can greatly improve service delivery hence growth of real estate market in Tharaka Nithi.