Mai Mahiu town in Naivasha has been identified as the next hub of business in the country as operations at the multi-billion Industrial Park kicked off. With tens of local and international investors keen on starting business in the park located off the Mai Mahiu-Narok road hundreds of jobs are expected to be created. This came as Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui defended the extension Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) from Nairobi to the park amid accusations that it was a ‘railway to nowhere’.
According to Kinyajui, the park and the railway line had revitalized the region and created hundreds of jobs for area residents. He said that water supply to the park was complete adding that neighboring communities would also benefit from the water. “Collection of cargo has shifted from Mombasa to Mai Mahiu and the increased operations along the railway line have proved the detractors wrong,” he said.
The governor was speaking in Namcha village in Mai Mahiu during the memorial service of the late Joseph Ole Kishau a Maasai elder who died last week due to Covid-19 complications. Kinyanjui eulogized Kishau as an elder who was committed to fighting injustice for the voiceless in the area mainly on issues of land and historical injustice. “Kishau was involved in making sure that there was lasting peace in this region and we have lost one of the peace ambassadors in the county,” he said.
The Governor added that they were keen to maintain peace during and after the next general elections noting that violence ended up impoverishing members of the public. “We are working closely with Kajiado and Narok leaders in making sure that there is lasting peace along our borders and among area residents,” he said.
On his part, Kajiado West Mp George Sunkuyia who also attended the ceremony called for residents to live harmoniously. “We have all communities in Kajiado and Nakuru who for years have co-existed peacefully and you should not allow leaders to split you on tribal grounds.
In his condolence message, Sunkuyia noted that the late Ole Kishau was crucial in uniting members of all the communities living in the area. “The Deputy President William Ruto has sent his condolences as we lay to rest our elder who was critical in fighting for the poor and the hustlers,” he said.
Others who spoke were former Naivasha Mp John Kihagi who said that Kishau had played a crucial role in ending early marriages in the area. “Though the late Ole Kishau we managed to construct Namcha Peace Secondary school and tens of girls managed to join in and avoid early marriages,” he said.