“A rising tide lifts all boats” – and the tide is rising in Makueni County.
Today marks a historic milestone for our county as His Excellency President William Ruto officially launched the first phase of construction of the Konza Techno City, a transformative project poised to shape the future of Kenya’s digital economy. Standing beside him was our own governor, H.E. Mutula Kilonzo Jr., a testament to the critical role Makueni County is playing in this bold national vision.
Konza Technopolis isn’t just another infrastructure project – it’s an opportunity of a generation. It’s the beginning of a new era where Makueni is no longer on the periphery of national development, but at its very heart. This city of the future will be a hub of innovation, technology, research, and sustainable development – and it’s right in our backyard.
What This Means for Makueni Residents
As the city rises from the savannah, so can we – if we prepare, position ourselves, and participate.
- Employment & Skills Development
- Thousands of jobs will be created during and after construction – from skilled labor and engineering to ICT services, hospitality, security, transport, and maintenance.
- Youths in Makueni should start acquiring technical and digital skills that match Konza’s vision – coding, software development, data science, cybersecurity, and green technology.
- The county government, together with local institutions, should ramp up training programs and mentorship to align with the needs of Konza’s investors and firms.
- Entrepreneurship & Local Business Growth
- Local suppliers, food vendors, artisans, and transport providers will find increased demand for their goods and services.
- Youths and women groups should organize into cooperatives to offer services and products at scale – whether it’s construction materials, catering, or ICT support.
- Makueni-based entrepreneurs should be innovative and proactive – from developing local apps to solving local problems using digital solutions.
- Agriculture & Agri-Tech Opportunities
- With Konza’s emphasis on smart technology, Makueni farmers can integrate into agri-tech ecosystems – using digital tools for weather prediction, market access, and crop management.
- The proximity to a tech city offers a chance to modernize agriculture, add value to produce, and access new markets.
- Education & Youth Empowerment
- Parents should encourage their children to pursue STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects.
- Schools in Makueni should seek partnerships with institutions setting up in Konza to expose learners to emerging careers in ICT and innovation.
- Students and young professionals can pursue internships and collaborations with Konza-based startups and organizations.
- Real Estate and Housing
- As Konza grows, so will the demand for affordable housing, rental units, and accommodation services.
- Locals with land near the city can partner with investors to develop housing, hostels, and commercial spaces.
A Call to Action: The Future is Local
Konza Techno City is not just for Nairobi, or foreign investors – it is ours too. As residents of Makueni, we must not watch from the sidelines. We must step up, learn fast, organize, and lead. The county government will play a central role, but it is the everyday citizen – the boda boda rider, the tailor, the mason, the teacher, the student – who must seize the day.
Let’s dream big but also prepare practically. Let’s move from potential to productivity.
Konza is here. The future has arrived.
Will you rise with it?
