Thika courts more investors as journey to city status gains momentum

As Thika journeys to be the sixth city in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret and Nakuru, more investors continue to establish their enterprises to tap the growing population of people seeking to settle in the busy metropolis.

With a population of more than 300,000 people, investors are leaving nothing to chance to create new investment opportunities.

The latest entrant into the city-to-be is Java House which launched its first branch in Kiambu County in Thika town Thursday, signalling the growing influence of the town as an investment, tourism and business destination.

The new outlet, located next to Shell Petrol Station near Gatitu junction becomes Java’s 95th outlet in the ongoing ambitious expansion plan that seeks to continue taking the firm’s experience closer to more of its customers.

According to Thika District Business Association (TDBA) chairman Alfred Wanyoike, Thika continues to attract more investors owing to its significant infrastructure development in recent years, including the extension of Thika Road and the construction of the Thika Superhighway which has reduced traffic and increased demand for real estate.

“Thika seeks to be a city and to make that happen, it has continued to attract investors in various fields owing to its location, developed infrastructure, steady increase in its property values, an attractive proposition for investors looking for rental income from hostels, being home to numerous industries, including fruit canning, textiles, and the manufacture of matches and tinplate cans among others,” said Wanyoike.

“Today we are happy to welcome Java in Thika, being their first-ever outlet in Kiambu County. Their experience and great services in other regions are now closer home and as businesspeople, we are grateful that our numbers are increasing,” added Wanyoike.

According to Java House CEO Priscilla Gathungu, two more outlets were launched Thursday in Kenol in Murang’a and Kisumu near the airport bringing their total outlets across the country to 97.

Gathungu told journalists that the expansion plan seeks to enhance the Java experience and empower communities by continuing to source 98 per cent of their ingredients locally.

  “We have also opened other outlets in Murang’a at Kenol area and another one in Kisumu at the airport in line with our strategy to continue devolving our services to consumers. We have close to 30 staff at this outlet, most of whom are locals. We are not afraid of joining new towns because we want to set the pace for new investments,” said Gathungu.

She stated that Java not only provides employment opportunities but also equips individuals with valuable skills and knowledge by training baristas, chefs, and hospitality staff. Since its inception in Nairobi in 1999, Java has expanded to serve a loyal customer base throughout East Africa.

An ad hoc committee that has been midwifing the town’s elevation into an industrial smart city by putting up pedestrian walkways, efficient drainage systems and installing streetlights in a move that is hoped to enhance safety during dark hours and extend business working hours in the evenings, boosting local economic activities.

The elevation of Thika to a city is expected to enhance the County’s international visibility, opening doors for various opportunities and collaborations on the global stage.