Ever since Eveready company shut down its Nakuru plant, the parcel of land lay bare with tall bushes and thickets growing, with no one tending to it.

In 2022, the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPFUND) set out to build a Sh10 billion mall on the parcel of land that was previously owned by Eveready, which was sold in 2017 for Sh1.3 billion.

According to the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) study report submitted to the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), the organisation plans to build a five-star hotel, office block, recreation centre, petrol station, kindergarten, commercial mall, logistics centre and a six block of residential apartment and parking lots.

Read: The sad death of multi-million factories that made Nakuru an industrial hub

A year down the line, the project has already begun and it is slowly taking shape, with a perimeter wall that is almost finished.

According to the report, this mega project will be done in phases. The facilities that generate fast income will be given priority.

Initially, concerns had been raised on disposal of the asbestos roof that makes up a large part of the old Eveready factory.

However, this matter was addressed in the ESIA report.

Also Read: The day Nakuru got its first mall

“The client before commencement of the project shall ensure a decommissioning plan has been done, Environmental Impact Assessment for the removal of asbestos roofing is done and approval and or recommendations are issued by the authority before commencement,” reads part of the report.

A section of the wall constructed around land previously owned by Eveready factory takes shape on October 17, 2023.

Photo credit: BRET SANYA/MTAA WANGU

Mtaa Wangu reached out to LAPFUND to find out how far along the project had come. Upon inquiry through a phone number on their website, it was established that only the perimeter wall had been started and is in the final stages of completion.

As Nakuru city continues to grow, the decision by different investors to come and invest their money in the city, shows great promise of Nakuru’s economic prowess.

Already, reputable establishments like Artcaffé, Chicken inn, Pizza inn, Creamy inn, KFC drive-thru and Chandarana Food Plus supermarket have set up shop in Nakuru.

sanyabret@gmail.com

Construction of Sh 10 bn mall begins on land previously owned by Eveready company

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Bret Sanya