NAIROBI, Kenya, May 16 – The first phase of the multi-million dollar Tatu City project on the outskirts of Nairobi is now set to kick off after the signing of a Sh262 million deal between the project developer and two construction firms.
Tatu City Limited, the company behind the project, on Wednesday signed partnership documents with Gibb Africa and SS Mehta which will be involved in the development of Phase 1AA that was approved by the National Environment Management Authority in February.
The developer says that Gibb and SS Mehta were awarded the tender after a rigorous tendering process.
Gibb have been tasked with the detailed design and supervision of the enabling works contract and also the detailed design for the main works which includes the roads and services reticulation.
On the other hand, SS Mehta have been contracted to undertake the enabling works contract, which is the bulk earthworks for the road corridors within phase 1AA.
The contract period for the enabling works commenced April 17 and is due for completion in October 2012.
“We put together a list of 10 contractors able to undertake the works. The contractors were then approached and interviewed on availability and willingness to tender. The final list was reduced to six and the tenders were issued in December last year. The competing firms were assessed in terms of finance and technical capability and the contract was awarded,” explained Tatu City CEO Arnold Meyer.
Speaking when he presided over the signing ceremony on Wednesday, Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat Director General Mugo Kibati said the government was keen on Public Private
Partnerships which will enable and accelerate the Vision 2030 flagship projects.
“Tatu City is an example of a viable PPP that would help Kenya realise its goal of developing 200,000 housing units annually as per the Vision 2030,” stated Kibati.
Once complete, Tatu will be home to an estimated 62,000 residents and attract 23,000 day visitors. Located off the Thika Superhighway, it is currently the largest foreign direct investment in the country. It will create more than 300,000 jobs.
The first phase covers 100 hectares and will comprise mixed use residential and commercial developments.
