The County Government of Nyeri has finally signed a Memorandum of Understanding with USA based Komposites Kenya Ltd.
Nyeri Governor H.E. Mutahi Kahiga and the USA based Kenya Komposites team led by Chief Operations Officer Dr Estelle-Marie Heussen signed the MoU today at the Governor’s office, Nyeri town.
This gives a nod for the work to start in Nyeri County. In the next six months, the company will start construction of the company’s manufacturing facility at the Dedan Kimathi University of Technology. The Headquarters for East and Central Africa will be based in Nyeri.
Komposites Company’s mandate is to construct fiber reinforced Polymer composite poles and other composite based products.
Composite engineered materials will also be made here.
Local sourcing of raw materials will ensure the locals get revenue. Composite poles will be the best alternative to concrete and timber poles and this will have a direct implication in environmental conservation as the need to cut down trees will be significantly reduced.
The MoU is therefore for purposes of the parties entering into a mutually beneficial working relationship with a view of attaining the ‘Last Mile Objective’ as well as achieving cost-effective housing solutions and expansion of existing energy and communication infrastructure through the ‘smart poles solution’ within the county.
It will create jobs for over 150 youths. It will also lead to training of young people, create business opportunities and also help in promoting the Big Four Agenda of housing. The team is partnering with Dedan Kimathi University of Technology so that the students can be engaged in research, internships and jobs.
The company will be offering engineering and technical jobs to Nyeri people which will create direct jobs as well as other casual jobs.
The company will also train Nyeri youths on technology and how to make composite poles.
Kenya Komposites is a USA based company bringing American and international standard best practices to Kenya.
Nyeri County Secretary Ben Gachichio, Nyeri Chief of Staff Paul Wambugu and Governor’s legal advisor Mwangi Mugo among others were also present during the signing of the MoU.
Nyeri County is located in the former Central Province of Kenya, about 150 kilometers north of Nairobi.It covers an area of 3,337 square kilometers. Nyeri shares its borders with five other counties; Kirinyaga to the east, Nyandarua to the west, Muranga to the south, Laikipia to the north and Meru to the northeast.
The name Nyeri is derived from the Maasai word nyiro, meaning red. The Maasai people, who once lived in the county, called the area nyiro – after it’s red volcanic soil. The named was later changed to Nyeri by white settler farmers.
Nyeri County constitutes six constituencies; Nyeri Town, Othaya, Tetu, Kieni, Mathira and Mukurwe-ini.
The county’s top leaders are Nderitu Gachagua (Governor), Michael Mwangi (County Commissioner), Mutahi Kagwe (Senator) and Priscilla Nyokabi (Women Representative).
Other top leaders in Nyeri County include Esther Murugi (MP-Nyeri Town), Mary Wambui (MP-Othaya), James Gethenji (MP-Tetu), Kanini Kega (MP-Kieni), Peter Kinyua (MP-Mathira), Kabando wa Kabando (MP-Mukurwe-ini).
Majority of people living in Nyeri county are Christians. Notable among Christian faith are the Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic, Anglican Pentecostals and Akorino denominations. There’s a small number residents, mainly found in major towns, who prophesy to the Muslim and Hindu religions.
The Kikuyu people speak Gikuyu; a language widely spoken across the country even in towns where a majority of people speak Kiswahili. English language is primarily used in the education system and in the employment sector.
Gikuyus traditionally believed in a single god, called ngai (the provider), living at the top of Mount Kenya. However, most Kikuyus have abandoned their traditional beliefs for Christianity.
Set on the foothills of the Aberdare Mountain Ranges, about 150km from Nairobi, Nyeri is the headquarters of Nyeri County.
Tourism and agriculture are the backbone of the town’s economy as it neighbours rich agricultural fields and popular tourist attractions such as the Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya.
Located on Nairobi-Nyeri road, about 20km from Nyeri town, Karatina is known for its large vegetable and food market.
The Karatina Market, which operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, is reputed to be the second largest open-air market in Africa after Addis Ababa’s Merkato Market.
Othaya is located 120km north of Nairobi. It is a small agricultural town with coffee and tea as the main cash crops grown in the farms. Othaya is home to former President Mwai Kibaki
Nyeri county has some of the lowest temperatures in Kenya which range between 12°C in the cold months (June and July) and 27°C in the hot months (January-March and September-October) with high precipitation all year round.
The rainfall average lies between 500 mm and 1500 mm during the short and long rains periods making it conducive for its diverse agricultural activity.
There are several hospitals and health centres in Nyeri. Notable healthcare facilities include the Nyeri Provincial General Hospital, Karatina District Hospital, Mukurwe-Ini Sub District Hospital and Othaya Sub-District Hospital.
Church-run health facilities include Consolata Hospital, PCEA Tumutumu and Mary Immaculate Hospital in Mweiga. Private hospitals include the Outspan hospital, Mt. Kenya Hospital, Jamii Nursing Home, Nyeri Surgicare Centre, and Waka Ruring’u Maternity.
As of 2013, there are 584 primary schools and 194 high schools in Nyeri County, serving 145,906 and 47,524 students respectively. The county’s Teacher to Pupil Ratio is 1: 35 for public primary schools and 1:25 for public high schools.
Some of the top high schools in Nyeri include Kagumo High School, Nyeri High School, Bishop Gatimu Ngandu Girls and Othaya Boys High school among others. The county has several renowned schools, colleges and universities. These include the Dedan Kimathi University, Moi University Campus, Kenyatta University Campus, and University of Nairobi Distance Learning Center.