Bakhresa Group has appointed Verde Hotels from South Africa to develop and manage the total overhaul and upgrading of the old Mtoni Marine Hotel in Zanzibar, about two kilometres from Stone Town.   According to a statement, the brand new five star property will be known as Hotel Verde, Zanzibar's greenest hotel.   "We are serious about being the leaders of the Green Economy sector and therefore we approached the developers of.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 6th July 2016

Kenya is looking for close to Ksh550 billion ($5.5 billion) to complete the construction of 10,000 kilometres of roads, after local banks refused to lend the money to the contractors after the botched annuity financing model.   The country is now negotiating for a line of credit of $1.5 billion from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), to finance part of the construction of 4,000 kilometres of urban roads; some 6,000 kilometres of.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 5th July 2016

The County Assembly on Thursday approved Sh70 million for construction of a governor's residence in Likuyani Sub-County and another Sh100 million to build a modern County Assembly.   These were among the highlights of Sh13.2 billion budget that gave Health, Infrastructure and Agriculture departments the three-highest allocations.   Infrastructure development will consume Sh1.9 billion, health Sh1.2 billion and agriculture Sh575.9.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 2nd July 2016

Arusha — The new master plan for Arusha will cover selected areas in neighbouring districts beyond the city boundaries, according to consultants.   Execution of the ambitious plan, prepared by Surbana Consultants Pte Ltd of Singapore, will finally begin in August this year, one of the focus being to overhaul and age-old water supply and sewerage networks.   A brief on the consultants' report availed to The Citizen indicated.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Dodoma — The government will continue improving and constructing roads and improve communication networks across the country.   The assurance was made by the Deputy Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Eng Edwin Ngonyani when responding to questions raised by legislators.   A basic question by Kiteto Koshuma (Special Seats-CCM), queried what plans the government had to increase tarmac roads in Mwanza Region, which.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 29th June 2016

Nairobi — The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has called for bids on the rehabilitation of the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero Road which is slated to start sometime this year.   According to the authority, the road project which will be carried out in two lots will have Lot 1 starting from Isebania to Kisii and lot 2 from Kisii to Ahero.   In a statement, KeNHA indicated that the Isebania-Kisii-Ahero (A1) Road forms part of.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 25th June 2016

Nakuru County is set to receive a grant of over Sh100 million from the Kenya Roads Board (KRB) for the development of its roads.   Funding talks with the Board are at an advanced stage, County Governor Kinuthia Mbugua disclosed on Thursday.   Governor Mbugua was speaking at a road safety awareness event for boda boda riders sponsored by the roads agency at a Nakuru hotel.   "We have partnered with the Kenya Roads Board.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 25th June 2016

Dodoma — Deputy Minister for Works, Transport and Communications, Eng Edwin Ngonyani, has said the construction of 109.4 kilometres at a tarmac level of Njombe-Ndulamo-Makete road will start this financial year.   He was responding to a main question by Lucy Mlowe (Special Seats - CCM), who wanted to know when the construction of Njombe-Makete road at tarmac level will undertaken. He said that his ministry through the Tanzania Roads.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 23rd June 2016

Musoma — A Savings and Credit Cooperative Society (Saccos) has launched a four-year housing loan scheme for its members.   Speaking during the launch on Tuesday, Imara Saccos manager Hildagadis Kinanda said the cooperative society had set aside Sh3.5 billion for the first phase of the project.   According to Ms Kinanda, the houses would be built in three phases. At least 500 houses will be constructed in 2017 in the first.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 17th June 2016

In a few years from now many of the Arusha urban residents will be living some ten kilometres from the current city, following the laying of foundation for the proposed new 'Safari City,' to mushroom in Matevesi area.   The new city planned, drawn and being executed by the state-run, National Housing Corporation, has floated nearly initial 600 plots for residential use and these, according to the Regional NHC Manager, Mr James Kisarika,.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 14th June 2016

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Sunday said the World Bank is set to embark on a Sh111 billion funding of transformative projects in the country particularly the Arid and Semi-Arid areas.   Though his spokesman Manoah Esipisu, the head of state indicated that the monies will be used to provide solar energy to households, public institutions such as health centers and educational institutions.   "Key features of the program.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 13th June 2016

East African Community (EAC) member states have prioritised development expenditure as countries look to further strengthen the growth agenda of the regional economies. In the national budget estimates presented yesterday, the regional bloc's biggest economy Kenya will be spending $22.8 billion, Tanzania $13.5 billion, and Uganda $12 billion during the next financial year that starts on July 1. Rwanda plans to spend some $2.49 billion in the.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 10th June 2016