East African Infrastructure and Engineering Journal September - October 2014

East Africa Informative Journal in Developing Infrastructure

Volume 3 Isuue 05, September - October 2014

RESOUNDING SUCCESS...

K&M Archplans Ltd

TRANSPORT ENERGY HOUSING COMMUNICATION WATER

Editorial

Editorial

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LISTENING TO VOICES FROM SLUMS

Editorial and Photography Youthway Media Services

Advertising Executives Ismael Owiti - Kenya Jobunga Ndere - Uganda W. Minga - Tanzania Eva Gichohi - Rwanda

Media Manager Peter Acham

Design and Layout Nicholas Amanya

Marketing Victorianet Solutions

Published and Printed by Spako Media Ltd P.O. Box 4517-00100 Nairobi - Kenya Tel: +254 20 2395373 Cell: +254 712 896013 / +254 773 547046 Email: admin@eainfrastructure-engineer.com Web: www.eainfrastructure-engineer.com

East African Infrastructure & Engineering Review Journal is published bi-monthly and is circulated to members of relevant associations, governmental bodies and other personnel in the Building & Construction Industry as well as suppliers of plant and equipment, materials and services in East Africa.

The Editor welcomes articles and photographs for consideration. Materials may not be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

The publisher does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or authenticity of advertisements or contributions contained in this journal. Views expressed by the contributors are not necessarily those of the publisher. ©All rights reserved

World Habitat Day is the one day set aside annually to recognize the basic right of all humanity to adequate shelter, and to encourage grassroots action toward ending poverty housing. Kenya’s development blueprint Vision 2030 identifies urbanization as one of the key development challenges. Rapid urbanization has left our cities and towns with huge unmet demand for critical infrastructure and basic services, which has constrained the productivity of business and negatively impacted the quality of life of residents. We have to keep improving our cities and towns by making them better for those who live in them and for those yet to be born. Today, half of humanity live in urban areas and the trend indicate that the figure is steadily increasing.

Our Cities can only meet a fraction of the current housing demand putting pressure on the mushrooming of more informal settlements especially in major towns. Most of the new houses built in major towns target middle and high income segment while the demand by low income earners continues to rise as result of rural urban migration.

The slums are a response to this mismatch in demand versus supply.

This year, the United Nations chose to turn the spotlight on the people who live or have lived in informal settlements, listening to “Voices from Slums”.

Due to the very complex nature of informal settlement development in our cities, attempts to upgrade slums have had mixed results.

Upgrading projects have had both strengths and limitations at policy level such as lack of affordability, high standards for infrastructure, land tenure complications, and administrative inefficiency. Affordability has been a major problem for the poor. Although houses are developed for the poor, they are still beyond the means of the poor, for whom they are intended. Political interest has also been a major challenge in Slum upgrading in our cities as non-targeted groups that have political influence ends up being the main beneficiaries of the projects. We all understand that improved access to safe and healthy shelter, tenure, basic services and social amenities such as health and education are essential to a better life for every individual. As we celebrate World Habitat Day 2014, let us pledge to join hands and improve the quality of life, especially for people living in slums and other sub-standard housing around the East African region.

Evans Editor.

September - October 2014

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INSIDE 8

1 News 8

34 36

Corporate Profile

8 K & M Archiplans Ltd 16 Parbat Siyani Interiors Ltd

34 Construction Machinery

34 Alibhai Shariff launches first franchise outlet in Nakuru

21 Housing

36 Irrigation Infrastructure

21 Responding to voices from slums 22 Introducing precast technology in Kenya

26 CRS Activities

26 Tanga Cement Company Ltd 29 Britam to spend Ksh 20M to build classrooms

30 Energy

25 Tanzania: Gas to double Tanzania’s power 30 Tanzania: Kibo moves closer to finalising key commercial agreements 31 Tanzania: Maurel and Prom signs Tanzania Gas deal 32 Rwanda: Rwanda to persuade Energy and Infrastructure Investors

36 Investing in Irrigation infrastructure to enhance food security

39 Banking Sector

39 National Bank rolls out new internet and mobile banking application

40 ICT

40 East Africa in top position in Africa in internet access

42 Expert Corner

42 Which solar heating system best suits your home?

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September - October 2014

News KENYA

Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya Proud to Celebrate 20 Years The Institute announces the launch of its ‘Inaugural Professional Excellence Awards Scheme’ as part of its celebrations.

The Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK) is an organisation specifically charged with promoting and safeguarding the interests of the Kenyan Quantity Surveyor. The primary objective of IQSK is to promote the advancement of the practice of Quantity Surveying and its application in Kenya.

The Institute was founded in 1994 as a non-political and non-profit making organization whose primary objective is to promote the general advancement of the practice of Quantity Surveying and its application in Kenya including facilitating

the exchange of information of the institute and otherwise.

IQSK Membership comprises Corporate and Non-Corporate Members.

Corporate members include Fellows, Corporate and Licentiate members. They are voting members. Noncorporate members are Honorary, Visiting, Graduate, Technician and Student Members. Non-corporate members are not eligible to voting during meetings. The management of the affairs and business of the institute is vested in and conducted by an elected council. The council is composed of the office bearers, the most recent past chairman and not more than five corporate members elected at an Annual General Meeting.

The Institute cooperates with universities, other educational institutions and public education authorities

for furtherance of education and training in Quantity Surveying and practice.

The Institute also works closely with the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors, and other relevant societies on matters concerning Quantity Surveying education, training, examinations and practice.

The Inaugural IQSK Professional Excellence Awards As part of the institutes 20th Year Anniversary Celebrations, IQSK announces the launch of its ‘Inaugural Professional Excellence Awards Scheme.’

These awards scheme celebrates excellence in quantity surveying and respects all principles of the profession. Through the scheme the Institute endeavours to contribute to

the continued improvement of the Quantity Surveying profession and the Quantity Surveyor.

The awards will be aimed at recognizing Quantity Surveyors who have excelled in their professional capacity in the building and construction industry. These individuals will be publicly identified, recognized and feted on the basis of predefined evaluation criteria.

Nomination entries which closed on 15th September will be accepted from all registered Quantity Surveyors who must be members of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya.

A panel of independent and objective local and international jurists will be selected to rigorously judge entries received. IQSK will hold the Inaugural IQSK Professional Excellence Awards on 28th November 2014.

RIFT VALLEY RAILWAYS (RVR) INSTALLS GPS TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE TRACKING & SPEED OF CARGO MOVEMENT BY RAIL Sh 800m technology platform equips trains with on board computers Rift Valley Railways (RVR), the operator of the Kenya-Uganda railway, has launched a Sh. 800m technology upgrade that includes Global Positioning System (GPS) -based software that centrally controls the movement of trains and cargo along the railway track. The Automated Train Warrant (ATW) software allows online visualization from an operations control center in Nairobi of the precise location of trains along the railway.

The technology will replace manual management of crossovers at railway stations with satellite enabled self-switching movement of trains. “The introduction of satellite navigation technology to this core component of our operations means we will eliminate a lot of waiting time at stations by giving priority track access to trains carrying cargo and also allow us to handle larger fleets,” said Darlan De David, RVR group CEO. Communication with the trains will be through on-board computers installed in all locomotives which have remote speed control features and a mechanism to feedback data on the condition of engines and the track.

Commenting on the new technology, Hernani Sozzi Jnr., a veteran rail and road management software developer with large Brazilian rail operator America Latina Logistica, said “This is an integrated logistics and operations solution used in modern railway management system that gives real time information on multiple dimensions of the railway line and rolling stock”.

Hernani who was in Kenya to train RVR software developers and traffic controllers on the new system said this integrated technology platform is currently being used to manage railway operations in Brazil, Argentina and South Africa.

September - October 2014

He said Japan uses the same technology to manage operations and billings for mass computer rail. A key component of the technology is the Translogic integrated logistics management platform which provides a detailed manifest of the position and contents of all cargo-carrying wagons.“This platform enables us to tell customers exactly where their cargo is along the 2,352km railway track we manage”, De David noted adding that this innovation gives RVR the ability to effectively manage asset quality, reliably schedule maintenance and help ensure consistently high standards of rail transportation to smooth trade in East Africa.

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News KENYA

Startimes Media Kenya limited vice president Mark Lisboa (left), StarSat DTH director Tracy Lixue (center) and public relations manager Alex Mwaura during the launch of the Direct to Home (DTH) digital television satellite service known as StarSat at their Nairobi office

Startimes Introduces Direct to Home (Dth) Satellite Television Service in Kenya Pay Television Company StarTimes Media in early September launch the brand´s Direct to Home (DTH) digital television satellite service. The brand, to be known as StarSat will offer over 98 premium local and international channels to Kenyan subscribers complementing the StarTimes Digital Terrestrial Technology (DTT) offering launched two years ago.

StarSat will be transmitting through the SES 5 satellite at 5 degrees East and a compass direction of 273 degrees pointing from Kenya providing country wide signal coverage for the satellite pay television service. Retailing at just Ksh. 5,600 the StarSat set comes with unique features key among them being the High Definition (HD) decoder that will equally have HDMI and USB slots, can use a 12v+ battery for areas without electricity connection and

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...Entry of StarSat to complement the brand´s Digital Terrestrial Technology (DTT) platform... will have access to one month free Super Bouquet worth Ksh. 2,500.

Speaking during the launch of StarSat, StarTimes Media Public Relations Manager Mr. Alex Mwaura noted that the introduction of the satellite television service is a move aimed at giving Kenyans increased access to affordable pay television service using the latest broadcast technology while availing a rich local, regional and international channel offering.

“The introduction of StarSat gives Kenyans a choice within their preferred pay television platform to access the latest news, en-

tertainment, sports, movies, documentaries, music and children content for that enriched television viewing experience for the whole family at pocket friendly installation and monthly subscription costs”, noted Mr. Mwaura.

StarSat bouquets have been clustered into four namely; Special Bouquet at Ksh. 899 per month with access to over 48 channels, Smart Bouquet at Ksh. 1,799 per month with access to over 70 channels, Super Bouquet at Ksh. 2,499 per month with access to over 88 channels and the Chinese bouquet at Ksh. 1,499 per month

September - October 2014

with access to 12 channels.

“Affordability both for the hardware as well as the monthly packages remains our key drivers as we seek to grow access to digital television service”, added Mr. Mwaura.

The company expects to create over 1,000 job opportunities directly and indirectly as it brings on board local talent to drive the growth of StarSat with after sales service being a key investment area to ensure seamless service delivery to the subscribers.

StarSat comes with two Full High Definition channels NBA International and Bollywood HD with plans to roll out more of the same in the future promising crystal clear video and audio reception for the subscribers.

The company has equally initiated a hotels and apartments package that will see the installation of the StarSat digital television satellite service across individual establishments with Serena, Crowne Plaza, Masai Mara Domiro, Eastlands and Soluxe Hotels having installed the service as well as other 47 apartments across the country.

About StarSat:

StarSat launched its operations in October 2013 in South Africa. Operating under the slogan Change your view, Kenya becomes the 9th country that StarSat has initiatedits Direct to Home (DTH) satellite services in Africa having set up in South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, Rwanda, Guinea and Burundi. Currently, the brand has over 470,000 subscribers across the African markets it is currently operating in.

News KENYA

Lumia 530 Now Available in Kenya

A powerful entry to Windows Phone 8.1 ensures an uncompromised smartphone experience with leading Microsoft and Lumia innovations Microsoft has announced the availability of the Lumia 530 in Kenya for only Kshs 10, 999 at all Orange and authorised dealer shops. A powerful entry to Windows Phone 8.1, the Lumia 530delivers an amazing value smartphone experience with Microsoft innovations and services found in high-end Lumia smartphones.

Available in both single SIM 3G and Dual SIM 3G variants, the Lumia 530provides the perfect balance of latest generation smartphone features and experiences at an ultra-affordable price, to welcome more people to the Microsoft ecosystem. With the leading personalisation brought by Windows Phone 8.1, the Lumia 530 delivers: • Windows Phone 8.1including one swipe notifications from Action Centre and the fast Word Flow keyboard.

• A powerful quadcore Qualcomm Snapdragon processor delivers a super-fast and lagfree user experience of your favourite apps, gaming and internet browsing on the 4-inch LCD display. Seamless integration with Microsoft services

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such as Skype and Microsoft Office, available right out of the box.

Offers popular apps such as Instagram, WhatsApp, Viber and WeChat, plus key gaming apps such as Asphalt 8, available in the Windows Phone Store.

Great offline services that save time and money, including uninterrupted music streaming with Music +and maps with offline navigation both home and abroad.

The Dual SIM3G variant offers easy switching between two SIM cards, helping people manage their data costs by clearly separating calls and messages to make it cheaper and easier to connect.

Offers a smooth performance with signature Lumia apps such as Creative Studio and Glam Me, which helps people take quality voice-guided selfies with the 5MP rear camera.

People can enjoy more of the content

and apps they love with 4GB of on-board memory, expandable with SD cards up to 128GB. Plus, an additional 15GB of free cloud storage on Microsoft OneDrive that lets people sync, store, access and share files between Lumia 530 and computers, laptops and tablets.

“With high end apps, features and exceptional build quality at an amazing price, the Lumia 530 sets the benchmark for affordable smartphones.” said Kingori Gitahi, Product Manager, Microsoft Devices Group. ”The Lumia 530 demonstrates our focus on welcoming more people to the Windows Phone ecosystem with amazing devices that light up Microsoft’s digital work and life experiences at an affordable price point.”

The Lumia 530 is now available in Kenya from 2nd October 2014. The Lumia 530 is available in a range of colours including bright orange, bright green and stylish neutrals such as dark grey and white, along with a selection of changeable September - October 2014

shells in a variety of colours.

“Our association with Microsoft on the launch of the Lumia 530 is a strategic and timely move with an ever changing smartphone market in which devices is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible.

The partnership is consistent with the company’s brand promise of providing innovative solutions and products that are relevant to its market segments, thereby adding to the value proposition of its customers”, said George Mlaghui, Orange Telkom Kenya’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer.

The Lumia 530 is bundled together with Cloud Bang speaker for Kshs 10,999 and is exclusively available at all Orange shops. The Bang speaker is just as colourful and handsome as any of its predecessors, but this time in the form of a mini speaker, not a headset. With heavy emphasis on the design, it is easy to notice that the Bang doesn’t look like the conventional round speaker but instead triangular. One unique feature is that users can also daisy chain many speakers together to create a much bigger sound.

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News KENYA

Ms. Ada Eze (right), the Managing Director of Total Kenya Limited and David Mbugua (left), Director of the Kenya Forest Service, present a TOTAL Eco Challenge trophy to Abdikadir Hassan (centre) during the Total Kenya gala awards ceremony held to recognized individuals and organisations who have planted the most trees. Abdikadir is a member of the Youth for Environment Sustainability Network which has planted 20,000 trees in schools and homes in Garissa.

KENYA’S SUPERSTAR TREE PLANTERS AWARDED

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ifty individuals and organizations from all over Kenya received trophies and other honors at the Total Eco Challenge annual awards gala held in September. Winners ranged from children as young as six years old to big corporations, and included farmers, self-help groups, NGOs, Community associations, businesses, schools, and for the first time government officials from the best of Kenya Forest Service’s county stations led by KFS director David Mbugua.

changing Kenya’s landscape for the better, right now and for generations to come”.

Some of the biggest projects which already have bulging trophy cabinets did not receive awards this year, but there was a special cheer for the perennial champions of champions like Safaricom, the Defence Forces, Brookside Dairies, Rhino Charge, Kenya Breweries, Friogoken, Bamburi and Unilever, who consistently plants millions of trees themselves and throughout-grower projects.

er they can. They are doing it in gardens and on farms, in schools, in factory yards, along roadsides, on fertile fields and barren wastelands, in villages and towns, on every hill and in every valley”. He added, “They are

Little People with big hearts There were ovations for some of the smallest, too, especially those involving ‘little people with big hearts’ from rural communities and from primary and prep

In arousing address, Total Kenya managing director Ada Aze said “All 5,000 projects of the Eco Challenge are nurturing a national culture where every man, woman and child plants trees whenever and wherev-

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September - October 2014

schools oll over Kenya. The Awards Gala was held at the Carnivore, Nairobi. The chief guest was Ambassador, Remi Marechaux. In addition to winners of trophies (which are sculptured leaves that symbolize ‘always and forever’ because they are cast in solid bronze). 15 individuals received ‘Trees Ambassador’ medals for their solo planting efforts and especially for their work to inspire others to plant trees and adopt sustainableuse of practices for eco conservation. The Gala was staged only a few hours after the end of annual Total Kenya Trees Conference, now run in close partnership with KFS, which gave a unanimous thumb up to the plan for a ‘Kenya Tree Week’.

News UGANDA

iWayAfrica Uganda launches high speed fibre access to SME customers

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an African telecoms operator, Gondwana International Networks (GIN) in September announced that its iWayAfrica Uganda business has launched its new fibre connectivity service in Uganda. Speaking during the launch, Ken Mwai, Managing Director, iWayAfrica Uganda, says that the demand for high capacity Internet connectivity within enterprise and corporate markets in the major cities of Kampala and Entebbe are ever increasing, and an alternate provider was becoming a necessity.

By connecting with Google’s Project Link, a metro fibre offering in Kampala, iWayAfrica Uganda has the ability to provide Internet access to business at a fixed cost, thereby allowing them to deliver cost effective solutions within a multitenant complex. “iWayAfrica Uganda is able to leverage the hundreds of kilometers of optic fibre deployed by Google in Greater Kampala and offer the benefit direct to businesses,” says Mwai.

Uganda is able to leverage the hundreds of kilometers of optic fibre deployed

by Google in Greater Kampala and offer the benefit direct to businesses,” says Mwai “Enterprise businesses in Kampala require reliable high-speed connectivity for voice, data and Internet services. These services need to offer shared cost of fibre, coupled with quick turn-around times for access and a network that offers multiple rings for protection against failures.”Mwai added, “Google manages the

last mile link and ensures redundancy on its network, while iWay provides the services directly to the end customer. It is a win-win for all involved, especially the customers.”

Managed Infrastructure Service Solution Meanwhile in August, iWay Africa launched a managed infrastructure and services solution for the small and medium enterprise (SME) market in Uganda. The product, offered in conjunction with managed services company SevenC Computing, will focus on ensuring all key IT processes for Ugandan SMEs are managed on a single strict service level agreement. According to iWay Africa, these services include business email, data storage and collaboration, network security, bandwidth monitoring and reporting, offsite electronic data and email backups, offsite electronic data and email archives, and enhanced network monitoring and support. Mr.Mwai said that Ugandan SME market faces September - October 2014

IT challenges such as limited budgets, lack of in-house IT skills and resources, as well as poor quality of service: “We will be providing a much needed quality of service focused on the evolution, deployment and ongoing support of managed IT services,” Mwai said. Mwai said the advantage of deploying managed infrastructure services is the removal of dependency on the customer being connected to the iWay network, with the new offerings only requiring a customer to have a reliable internet connection to take advantage of the offerings. “iWayAfrica is very excited about the launch of the managed service solution in Uganda. We have packaged an excellent combination of software and infrastructure as a service. This means that customers don’t procure hardware and as a result, have no upfront cost. This gives customers the best of the cloud with essential managed services on the ground,” he concluded.

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Corporate Profile

RESOUNDING SUCCESS...

Tanzania Ports Authority Head Quarters

K&M Archplans Ltd

By Tamara Chege and Evans Otieno

It was a blissful morning with a clear blue sky when we set out to conduct an interview with our well renowned legendary and founder of K & M Archplans Architects, Arch.

James Kimathi in the serene suburb of Kilimani. With great hospitality and warm welcome he led us into his office ready for the interview.

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fter working for the Ministry of Works for two years, Architect James Kimathi partnered with Architect Stanley Kibathi and started a firm in 1978 under the name K & K Archplans, offering Architectural services. “At first Stanley and I used to meet in cafeteria in town since we did not have much income to rent an office yet we had sketches to design.

Later we were given one room by the Methodist Church and started working

September - October 2014

from thereon� Arch. Kimathi recounted.

In 1996, Architect James Kimathi founded and registered his own firm under K & M Archplans Ltd. Since its inception, the firm has continued to concentrate on improving and expanding its consultancy services in various fields of Architecture, including interior designing, town planning, technical advisor and construction management. Founded in Nairobi Kenya, K & M Archplans has since expanded its consultancy services to the United Republic of Tanzania

Corporate Profile and established an office in Dar es Salaam.

In its early years of operation, Kimathi observed that nobody could trust them with big projects considering that the company was young and did not have enough experience needed.

He said that the firm had most of its projects from private companies and churches especially Methodist and Presbyterian churches. With 35 years of excellence in the industry, K & M Archplans now has enough experience needed to undertake large iconic projects locally and regionally.

Projects In order to deliver quality and innovative projects that meet client’s expectation, Architect Kimathi often makes extensive travels to

Tanzania Parliament sample some of the best buildings worldwide that he personally considers inspiring. He also uses his I-Pad widely to watch videos related to architecture. “I am an Antonio Gaudi guy.

His work is just so amazing!

I have also witnessed the great works of one Santiago Calatrava in France. Great works”

The Tanzania Parliament In 1999 a competition for the design of Tanzanian Parliament was organized and K & M Archplans entered into the competition and won. It was not until 2004 when the Government of Tanzania decided to undertake the project after a long period of silence. As

the first prize winners, K & M Archplans was officially commissioned to undertake this project. “We tendered the project and it was a success. This I repeat was my Turning Point”. He utters with a seemingly happy tone and a grin on his face.

It’s during this period that the Government of Tanzania offered to take consultants for tours in countries with modern parliaments. At different times the team travelled to Scotland which by then had a new Parliament, Cape Town in South Africa, Sydney in Australia, Barcelona in Spain, and London all in search of knowledge that they would incorporate into building the Tanzanian Parliament in Dodoma.

“When the project was completed in 2006, it gave me

Xenocon

Consulting Engineers

We are proud to be associated with K&M Archplans Architects P.O. Box 59385-00200 Nairobi Tel. 020 4440953/4440889 Mobile: 0723 580 925 E-mail: info@xenoconce.co.ke

We are proud to be associated with K&M Archplans Architects as Quantity Surveyors on these projects

September - October 2014

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Corporate Profile communication technology in the chamber. The project was successfully completed in 2011.

Tanzania Ports Authority The company is also involved in a project for the Tanzania Ports Authority Headquarters, which is a 35-floor high-rise development along the coast line of Dar es Salaam. This project has underground and upper floor parking spaces, conference facilities and a rotating restaurant at the top most level forming towering a shape, and reigns over the city of Dar es Salaam.

Kilimanjaro House in Upper Hill great experience and certainly was a great honor� he said.

Kenya Parliament The Kenyan Government also decided to orgarnise a competition to modernize the current National Assembly. K & M Archplans tendered and won the project which involved creating more sitting capacity for the chamber as well as introducing modern

Mwanza Market This is an Ultra-Modern Mwanza Shopping Mall with about 50,000 sq meters of shopping space on a two and a half acre piece of land. Meticulous planning and imagination is evidenced by the staircases, lifts, levers, elevators and its design is derived from a fish. It has indeed very unique features.

Kilimanjaro Towers The firm also won the design proposal for a twin tower complex for the Tanzania High Commission in Upperhill Nairobi in collaboration with K&M Archplans (T) Ltd. The twin tower proposal comprises of a Commercial

Ultra Modern Mwanza Shopping Mall

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September - October 2014

Corporate Profile Tower which has 22 floors and a Diplomatic Tower which has 12 floors.

Methodist Church of Kenya mall The proposed MCK Mall located along Gitanga Road and opposite Valley Arcade has 30,000 sq meters of shopping space. Other spaces include cinema halls, restaurant and banks. The mall also has basement parking. The project is at advanced design stage.

Laikipia County Assembly

Office block for Riva Petroleum Dealers This is a commercial complex for Riva Petroleum Dealers Ltd located in Embu town along Embu-Meru Highway.

Kenya Student Christian Fellowship block This is a commercial complex comprising of offices and serviced apartment units for KSCF along David Osiele road in Westlands.

Christ is The Answer Ministries (CITAM) offices and Hope FM Station This is a multi storey complex comprising of commercial spaces, offices and a Hope FM station at the top most floor. It is to be situated along Wood Avenue at Kilimani area.

Office complex for Methodist church in Kenya The project is located along Kasuku Road in Kilimani and construction will begin in the near future.

LAIKIPIA COUNTY ASSEMBLEY VIEW

MERU UNIVERSITY HOSTEL VIEW

We are proud to be associated with K & M Archplans Architects Projects P.O BOX 20198-00200 City Square , Hurlingham, Jabavu Road, P.C.E.A, Jitegemee Flats Block G Tel: 2721492/21 Fax: 2722881 E-mail: mecoy@wananchi.com

BACKGROUND

Since inception, the firm has been actively involved in development projects of various nature in different parts of Kenya both in the Public and Private sectors of the national economy. Our portfolio of clients ranges from small individual developers to Co-operative Societies like Murata Sacco, industrial sector like Unliver Company and Kenya Industrial Research & Development Institute (KIRDI), Parastatal organizations like Kenya Power and Lighting Co. Ltd and the defunct Kenya Posts and Telecommunications Corporation, to Government Ministries including Ministry of Roads, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Urban Development and County Governments.

We are proud to be associated with K & M Archplans Architects Projects

Ongoing County Projects According to Arch.

Kimathi, the company is currently working in partnership with counties like Meru, September - October 2014

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Corporate Profile

Emec Engineering Ltd is registered with the Contractors Registration Board as a Specialist Contractor (ICT) in “CLASS ONE”. It is also registered with same Board as an Electrical Contractor in “CLASS ONE”.

The main lines of business of the company include (but not limited to) Structured Cabling, Data/Voice Networks, Video and Audio Conferencing, Equipments Supply and Installation of Electrical Materials (accessories), Uninterruptible Power Supply Systems.

Other areas of our business are industrial-size electrical supplies and installations, industrial electronics, security and surveillance systems.

Emec Engineering Ltd, Authorized Cisco select partner in Tanzania, also Authorized reseller of Polycom, CYBEROAM, AVAYA, OTN, SIEMON, MK and APC UPS in Tanzania.

Our current offices are located at 917/918 Block “H”, Makonde Street, Mbezi Beach, Emec House, P.O. Box 13198, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Mobile:+255-784-267679, +255-784 284972, +255-784 300413 Tel: 255 –22 2647184/5/6, Fax: 255-22 2647187 E-mail address: info@emec.co.tz www.emec.co.tz.

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Laikipia, Machakos and Samburu among others for the modification of their existing chambers and offices as well as coming up with new designs and proposals for county headquarters.

About Arch. James Kimathi Arch. James Kimathi is the current Managing Director of K&M Archplans. He has a Masters degree in Architecture from the University of Nairobi. He has extra certificate in Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)/Environmental Audit (EA) from Nazarene University. He is a registered architect in both Kenya and Tanzania.

The 68 years old architect has over thirty (30) years experience in the practice of Architecture including project management. He has acquired enormous ability of design and management techniques over this period. He has undertaken projects in a broad spectrum of building types in Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana.

professionals becoming big Firms. “There has to be others coming in for us all to move ahead. This is what we call positioning in the industry” Kimathi stated adding that handing over to young architects will help spread his God-Given knowledge to all Kenyans, clients, and the property market stakeholders. He has been to institutions of higher learning and exhibiting his works to students of JKUAT, UoN and young potential achievers in this noble field of Architecture. “The greatest donation one can give is knowledge and time. I will not tell you that it has been smooth all the way, but there had to be challenges for me to get to where I am today” he concluded and with God all things are possible.

Arch. Kimathi is married and blessed with four children.

Through the support from his family members and friends Architect Kimathi was able to publish a book by the title, “Parliaments and their ArchitectureDesign, Art and Technology.” The book was published by “Images of Australia” publishing House and is available countrywide.

“I am particularly and grateful to my wife who is an author and who by the years has come to appreciate architecture. My children and my kids and colleagues have given me great support and encouragement throughout” said Kimathi.

Aspiration Architect Kimathi strongly believes in transformation and transition. His aspiration is to see young September - October 2014

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Feature

A-Pedestrian crossing the road at a designated pedestrian crossing

ABUSING THE RIGHT OF WAY

By Tamara Chege

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to transportation, but there’s one that all road users share — everyone is a pedestrian. What if there never existed vehicles, motorcycles, airplanes, ships and the like? How would life be like?

How would people and goods be transported? Narrowing down on rail and road, transport is often a natural monopoly and a necessity for the public.

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assenger transport can be classified into two: public and private. Public transport has scheduled services which are on fixed routes and are staffed by a driver. Public transport has become predominantly used for the longest time but has a limitation of reduced flexibility. They are very loud with squawking music and funny images on the sides with crazy paintings and some with vulgar words encrypted on.

Private transport on the other hand is as per riders’ desire; travel may be as part of business, leisure, or migration.

This offers better flexibility but it has lower capacity with a higher environmental impact.

These vehicles are propelled

September - October 2014

with combustion engine using wheels.

The BIG Question They say all human transport normally start and ends with walking. The BIG question you should always ask yourself while walking is, “are you making your walking safe”. Unfortunately, pedestrians are one of the few groups of road users experiencing an increase in fatalities. Taking cognizance of the fact that more pedestrians in Kenya lose their lives or get injured on roads, the national and county governments are fully committed in creating awareness on the critical need for pedestrian safety. Many times we’ve

Feature

A pedestrian waiting to cross the busy Thika Super highway at a non-designated pedestrian crossing point.

seen pedestrians knocked down by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road. In Nairobi for instance, people residing or commuting daily on Mombasa Road, Jogoo Road, Thika Super Highway, Waiyaki Way and Langata road cannot miss a story to tell when asked about pedestrian safety on any of these roads. The records at Traffic Police Headquarters will definitely answer all your questions in regards to pedestrian safety on our roads. Visit Kibera in Nairobi and ask any resident about dangers of walking or doing business along the railway line. From Kibera, visit Railway Police Station at the Railway Headquarters in Nairobi and see wreckages of various vehicles which were involved in an accident with a train, leaving you with questions like, where, why and how did it happen?

Walking Safe In its effort to improve pedestrian safety, the Government in partnership with private sector players has successfully constructed path ways and flyovers for pedestrian use in busy highways. Pedestrian crossings have also been well marked for use in areas without flyo-

vers. The efforts made by Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Kenya Police and National Transport and Safety Authority in improving pedestrian safety cannot go without being acknowledged. Currently, the National Transport and Safety Authority are in partnership with the Kenya police, Prison and Judiciary to strengthen rules on the use of footbridge, tunnels and zebra crossing by the pedestrian in sections of Nairobi.

And while the authorities strive to save pedestrian lives, Kenyan Pedestrians are not willing to learn and change. Pedestrians are not observing traffic rules to ensure their safety. A recent research done by one of the Media houses shows that in Kenya, pedestrians would rather cross a busy highway than use a footbridge.

Many Pedestrians have been arrested and prosecuted for crossing roads at non-designated points.

I did my own research to know as to why people really opt to risk their dear lives. Peter a fruit Vendor in Nairobi said, “Going all the way up the bridge is a waste of time, plus I am careful enough to look both sides on any oncom-

ing vehicle, I do not see anything wrong in crossing the highway provided you are careful enough”. This perplexed me a lot owing that it’s a person’s life in danger. Lucy, a business lady in Ngara said, “It’s quicker this way”. She adds, the footbridge is located too far, why can’t they simply put up the bumps? I mean am I the only one here who seems scared? Where has the unexplained desire to get to the other side of the road come from?

In Nairobi, the good news is that the Government has built additional footbridges along Mombasa road (General Motorscomplete and Bellevuenear completion) to ease pedestrian movement and reduce death rates. The question is, are Kenyans ready to learn and change really? According to figures released by the traffic department commandant, at least 67 pedestrians have been killed on Thika superhighway this year. Statistics released by the Kenya Police traffic department further confirms the worst. Majority of casualties on Kenyan roads are pedestrians who account for 84 per cent of fatalities. They are followed by passengers, drivers, bicySeptember - October 2014

cle and motorbike cyclists.

The question still remains: Kenyans do we learn?

Vandalism Initially, KeNHA had designed concrete walls on the bridges but pedestrians felt insecure forcing the authority to switch to glass footbridges with metal roofs. Police sources say thugs vandalize the light switchbox to attack pedestrians and motorists in the cover of darkness. Police sources have recommended tamper-proof switchboxes for the lampposts along Thika Road be mounted.

Gradually becoming a tarmacked graveyard, the Thika Super Highway that was completed recently is design flaws, vandalism and reckless driving are all contributing to make the Sh27 billion infrastructures a certified death trap. The tragedy on the highway has forced KeNHA back to the drawing board to seek strategies to stem the road carnage. The new measures include outsourcing for a single contractor to provide maintenance, security and cleaning of the road. Many drivers perhaps are not used to the highways. And then there is the issue of education and enforcement.

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Corporate Profile

PARBAT SIYANI INTERIORS LIMITED

Providiing Innovative Interior Design Solutions The building and construction industry in East African region is currently experiencing a rapid change. New players have entered the industry including contractors and consultants both local and international. New innovative technology is being embraced for superior delivery of projects. One name that is inspirable in this industry is that of Parbat Siyani Interiors Ltd (PSIL). Within a short space of time, PSIL has enjoyed a rich journey of excellence on its way being recognized as the leading and most innovative interior design contractor in Kenya.

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PSIL was born and registered in Kenya in May 2013 to tap into new trends in the industry by providing unique tailor made interiors for commercial, retail, residences, and office spaces in the East African Region.

“We want to bring everything under one roof” says Mr.Deepak R. Kerai, Director PSIL in an interview at his office. “My aim is to create a relationship with architects to deliver quality design and build solutions.

We don’t want to offer quantity; we want to offer quality services that meet the international standards.” Deepak added.

September - October 2014

With its offices located at Prabhatam, 1st Parklands Avenue and a workshop in Mlolongo, Machakos County the company is actively participating in creating employment opportunities for Kenyans in the refurbishment and interior fit-out construction services.

Projects

PSIL is a young and dynamic interior design contractor, with a youthful and enthusiastic team determined to accomplish the vision of becoming a World-Class interior design contractor in the East African region. The company is equipped with technical expertise, greater potential and advanced technology that enables them deliver quality services to their

Corporate Profile

clients. Within the first year of its operation, PSIL has undertaken a number of Large and Medium sized projects which include ICEA Lion Centre on Chiromo road and refurbishment of Riverside Park among others. The company is currently working on the Nakumatt Junction-Food Court and one floor for YMR Integrated at Lion Place in Westland Nairobi. “Slowly slowly, we are building our name as we have done quite a number of projects within the first year of our operation” he observed.

He further said that apart from delivering quality projects, PSIL is also keen on time management in all the projects it undertakes.

When you mention Parbat or Siyani, the client will have confidence that they are dealing with the best and most experienced in the industry” According to Deepak, the company plans to build a small showroom for client’s selection of the materials and patterns that best fit their needs and taste.

Parbat Siyani prides itself in being one of the top trusted construction and interior design Company’s in the industry. “Many people know us by our first two names.

When you mention Parbat or Siyani, the client will have confidence that they are deal-

ing with the best and most experienced in the industry” says Deepak. With a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals, PSIL is equipped to undertake interior design projects of any size.

The company is committed to delivering the highest level of value and service to every customer.

Each project receives personal attention from the companies experienced staff enabling clients to achieve excellent value for money invested. PSIL’s workforce mission is therefore to build the client’s dream into reality by proposing innovative interior design solutions at the lowest cost possible. Here, every project is handled with a level of experience and professionalism.

Safety at Work Place Having worked in the UK for 3 years, Mr. Deepak understands very well the importance of complying with occupa-

September - October 2014

17

Corporate Profile

ENT HM S I RB FU RE

tional safety and health laws and regulations at any work place. “I have been in the UK and understand about safety at work place.

There, you cannot operate without putting safety measures. I believe in safety. Whether the work is small or big, here at Parbat safety is taken as a number one priority”. He stated.

The company is actively engaging in fostering a safe and healthy working environment.

Each site has a safety officer attached to monitor and ensure that safety regulations are followed to prevent occupational injuries and diseases.

Looking at the company’s experience and the number of projects undertaken Mr. Deepak is not scared of new

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players joining this unique interior design industry in the near future. He said that the company is aiming at raising the standards in the industry to a world-class status-and beyond. “In the next five years, new players are going to join the market fueling competition. They will be in primary school while we will be in college” the youthful and friendly director concluded.

MASTER POWER SYSTEMS LTD 33 Parklands Road, Opp. Impala Hotel P. O. Box 976 - 00606, Nairobi-Kenya Tel: +254 020 3757280 Fax: +254 020 3756280 Mobile: +254 731 976976, +254 705 976976, +254 774 137828 Email: info@masterpowers.com

ONTRACTORS T-OUT C OR FI I R E T & IN

PRABHATAM. 1ST PARKLANDS AVENUE, P.O.BOX 10748-00100, NAIROBI, KENYA TEL: +254 20 2658134 / 35 MOBILE: +254 731 337001 FAX: +254 20 2658136 WEB: www.seyani.com

Mombasa Branch

MASTER POWER SYSTEMS (U) LTD

P. O. Box 95864, Mkomani, Mombasa Tel: +254 041 4472112 / 4472113 Fax: +254 041 4470931 Email: infomsa@masterpowers.com

PLOT 86 - 96, 6th Street, Industrial Area P. O. Box 7715 Kampala, Uganda Tel: + 256 414 566020, 566030 Fax: + 256 414 566040 Email: info.ug@masterpowers.com

An ISO 14001 : 2004 ISO 9001 : 2008 BS OHSAS 18001 : 2007 Certified Companies

www.masterpowers.com

September - October 2014

Overview Africa is in the mid of a very exciting period in its history as far as infrastructure development is concerned. In comparison to a depressed international economic outlook, Africa is experiencing economic growth partly due to capital projects across the continent focusing on the delivery of infrastructure and the unlocking of natural resources fueled by international investment.

Understanding the rationale, processes and requirements for the evaluation and actual assessment of capital projects in reaching your project goals is very important. Statistics show that projects fail due to poor planning and scheduling. Amc International presents a two day Masterclass whose objectives is to facilitate in moving projects out of the concept phase and into the construction phase. This masterclass provides delegates with effective processes to master the planning and control of projects looking into the fundamentals of project feasibility assessment and viability and elevates participants into the realm of Project Leadership through discussion and hands-on application.

Strategic Implementation

Sustainable Development

Provision and Supply

Infrastructure Planning

Corporate Profile

Who should attend?  Infrastructure Specialists  Infrastructure Planners  Projects Planners /Schedulers  Project managers  Project Controls managers

The class will feature presenters with deep experience in infrastructure planning and attendees will learn about early project feasibility work, the role that economic developers and host communities can and should play. It will look critically on why most public sector projects fail and contingency measures will be addressed. Key decision makers, investors, financiers, portfolio-, programme, project managers and consultants, architects, quantity surveyors, engineers in the infrastructure environment both the government and Private sector will deliberate of the strategic skills in project life cycle analysis, funding and planning.

 Civil engineers

Benefits of attending • Determine your project's likelihood of success before you commit • Conduct a comprehensive needs assessment • Explore the feasibility and options around optimum project design and delivery • Identify project stakeholders and successfully manage perceptions and expectations • Establish effective communication protocols and channels • Sell your project by effectively soliciting support • Apply a suite of innovative project leadership tools for maximum efficacy • Assume a leadership role in project development and delivery

 Rural and urban planners

To immediately book your place at this insightful masterclass, please contact us as soon as possible on tel.: +254 (0) 20 426 9000 or email us on info@amc-intsa.co.ke.

 Quantity Surveyors  Investment managers  Architects

 Economic analysts  Heads of engineering  Cost Engineers  Investments analysts  Investments directors  County/city planners

Housing

Residents of Kibra slums in Nairobi

Responding to Voices from Slums Message from the UN-Habitat Executive Director Dr. Joan Clos, on the occasion of World Habitat Day.

E

very year on the first Monday of October we reflect on the state of our human settlements and what we want the cities of our future to look like. This year, the United Nations has chosen to turn the spotlight on the people who live or have lived in informal settlements, listening to “Voices from Slums”.

The goal is to raise awareness of life conditions in some areas of the planet which are crowded, with inadequate housing, poor or no water and sanitation facilities and no security of tenure. There is rarely any public space in these areas and no allocation for streets, meaning no public transport and no access for emergency services.

As part of the Millennium Development Goals, the world pledged to improve the lives of 100 million slum dwellers by the year 2020.

By 2010 we had achieved this by more than 2 fold.

However, with growing urbanisation, the number of people being born in or moving into these areas is also increasing and the overall number of people living in slums continues to rise. Estimates claim that there are already one billion people living in slums.

People in slums are also disproportionately affected by climate change, with houses often built precariously on slopes or

September - October 2014

Unsuitable building space and with inadequate materials making them vulnerable to landslides, floods and earthquakes.

Great efforts are being made to improve many slums around the world and better the lives of those that live there. But slums are a manifestation of rapid unchecked urbanisation – a result of allowing our cities to expand without design or regulation and with disregard to their citizens. While continuing to upgrade the slums we have, we urgently need to focus our efforts on robust urban planning and the provision of safe, affordable housing that is appropriate and adequate for our citizens’ growing needs.

Through real stories it is possible to demonstrate to decision makers in the urban arena that slum upgrading programmes can achieve better life conditions for slum dwellers, and greater economic and social impacts. In 2016, UN-Habitat will host the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development, Habitat III, and this will set us on the path for a new urban agenda. But we cannot wait until then to stop the spread of slums. Our urban citizens have the right to adequate housing and basic services and we need to make sure that our cities and towns are planned appropriately to provide these. Nearly one billion urban slum dwellers are counting on it. We should hear their voices.

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Housing

INTRODUCING PRECAST TECHNOLOGY IN KENYA

BMWP Managing Director Mr. Jack Liu addressing stakeholders during the launch

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oleyn Magic Wall Panel Ltd (BMWP) was incorporated in January 2011 with an aim of sorting out the housing deficit and upgrades the building capacity by introducing a modern building system, which is BMWPrecast.

The system which is new in Kenya will help shorten construction period as well as save on construction cost. The construction of a 3.7 billion Precast Plant in Mlolongo started in 2011 and completed in 2012.

BMWP is now equipped to start rolling-out its products to the expansive building and construction industry.

The new product has come at an opportune time when

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Boleyn Magic Wall Panel Ltd Launches BMW Precast System

By Evans Otieno

Boleyn Magic Wall Panel Ltd (BMWP) was incorporated in January 2011 with an aim of sorting out the housing deficit and upgrades the building capacity by introducing a modern building system, which is BMWPrecast September - October 2014

the National and County Governments are partnering with private investors to address the shortfall in supply of quality affordable housing hence improve the living standards in our urban areas.

As a way of creating awareness to stakeholders in the industry a head of the plant commissioning, BMWP recently organized a one day Precast Housing Seminar at Laico Regency, Nairobi. The event which also marked as the Official Launch of BMWPrecast Plant was well attended by stakeholders from both public and private sectors including the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, UN-HABITAT, National Housing Corporation and Housing Finance

Housing

Ambassador Magdalene Wambua from the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development reading the PS speech.

among others. Also present was Embu County Governor HE. Martine Wambora.

The company expressed its commitment in partnering with developers to address the elements of cost and time in housing delivery process. “We know that the government through National Housing Corporation is committed to provide decent and affordable housing solutions to all Kenyans.

We are therefore ready to partner with the public and private stakeholders to move forward and reduce housing costs as well as address the current housing shortage” says Mr. Jack Liu Managing Director BMWP during the launch.

The company is currently putting everything in place for full production after the

“We have a full package for both small and big contractors. Our engineers will do the design for you at no cost” scheduled plant commissioning in December 2014.

“We have ordered all necessary machine and equipments from Europe and partial shipments have arrived.

We shall start installation from October and expect official commissioning in December 2014” Liu said.

After commissioning, BMWP first major project will be MICD Car-park Building in Mombasa Port. The 6-floor building with 3500 parking spaces shall ease the heavy congestion of imported vehi-

cles at the port. The second project according to Mr. Liu shall be 5-floor Boleyn Building of 9,000m2. When installed, the plant will have a production capacity of 20, 000 units of houses which will later be expanded to 50, 000 in the next three years.

The BMWPanel is considered favorable as a material for construction in terms of affordability, availability, safety and security. It rates as good as other building materials and even better in terms of

The BMWPanel is considered favorable as a material for construction in terms of affordability, availability, safety and security September - October 2014

speed of construction. This indicates high acceptability and probability by the current developers within the country depending on depth of marketing and level of training provided. To market this new technology, Liu said that the company will organize industry seminars and awareness campaign across the country to further create more understanding to developers, contractors, consultants and the public in general. He added that the company will provide free technical support to both public and private stakeholders including small and big contractors. “We have a full package for both small and big contractors.

Our engineers will do the design for you at no cost” Jack said while responding to questions from the audience adding that the panels will be delivered to client’s site by the company’s own transport. The company will also set up a training school incorporating with other stakeholders in order to meet the mass housing demand with precast system.

A sample office building

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Housing

Guests during the launch with all precast components shall also be built within the plant.

Message from the Principal Secretary On her speech that was read by Ambassador Magdalene Wambua, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development congratulated BMWP on introducing the new housing technology and commitment in providing affordable housing to Kenyans. The PS said that the ministry is open for partnership and urged all stakeholders to take advantage of the new product to develop houses for citizens of all culture and ages, both rich and poor. “We are a ministry that is open to co-operation. We have a number of stakeholders co-operating with us to help address the housing shortage” she said in a speech read by Wambua.

About Precast Precast Wall Panel or floor/roofing slab is a construction product produced

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BMWPrecast is one of the best products for the building industry and should therefore be adopted by the industry stakeholders in realizing affordable, adequate and quality housing for all Kenyans by casting concrete on a steel pallet in workshop which is then cured in a controlled curing chamber, transported to the construction site and lifted into place for installation. Precast production line includes Wall Panel, Prestressed Hollow, Column and Prestressed Beam & Bridge Girder and EPS Panel.

The product can be used in the construction of apartments and villa, office building, education complex, hotel, hospital, shopping mall, car-parking building and `Highway Bridge. With

Precast Concrete, there are potential savings to be gained on site from reductions in time-based factors such as finance costs, time-related preliminaries, additional overheads, no site plastering, no scaffolding and no formworks.

If adopted the BMWPrecast System can reduce the construction period by 60% and contribute for 20-25% cost saving with better quality and environment friendly.

When using BMWPrecast System, the cost of saving in general is about 20-25%.

The savings are achieved September - October 2014

in roofing 32%, finishes 25%, plumbing and electrical installation 10% and substructure 20% saving. Assuming that BMWP develops the targeted 10,000 units, the savings in cost of construction at Ksh.420, 000 per unit is equivalent to Ksh. 4.2billion.

While concluding, Mr. Liu said that BMWPrecast is one of the best products for the building industry and should therefore be adopted by the industry stakeholders in realizing affordable, adequate and quality housing for all Kenyans. “For quality and cost efficiency of building, BMWPrecast is your right choice” Liu said. He thanked all for their commitment and being part of the BMWPrecast Housing Seminar and Plant launch.

Energy TANZANIA

Gas to Double Tanzania’s Power Supply By 2016 Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (TANESCO) is a parastatal organization under the Ministry of Energy and Minerals. The Company generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity to Tanzania Mainland and sells bulk power to the Zanzibar Electricity Corporation. TANESCO owns most of the electricity generating, transmitting and distributing facilities in Tanzania Mainland.

In an effort to meet the rising demands, officials from the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO) have indicated plans to double the country’s power production by 2016 to reach 3,000 megawatts at a cost of approximately USD 1.21 billion. Tanzania hopes to transform itself into a gas economy to improve its power availability per capita.

According to Decklan Mhaiki, deputy managing director for investments at TANESCO, the country’s large natural gas supplies will be used to address the growing energy demands, which are growing at a rate of 8% to 10% per year.

“We are taking advantage of gas to be able to bring more affordable

September - October 2014

power in the short term, and gas plants are quick to build,” said Hon. Mhaiki adding that plans are already in place for a gaspowered plant near the Dar es Salaam to begin producing 150 MW by the end of this year, he said.

There have been a series of offshore of natural gas discoveries since 2010 that have boosted Tanzania’s potential to become a natural gas exporter in the future.

Natural gas discoveries in Tanzania currently stand at 46.7 trillion cubic feet and new discoveries off the country’s southern coast have offered opportunities to work towards an end to Tanzania’s energy shortages and increase the percentage of the population that is connected to the power grid from 24% to 30% by 2016.

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CSR Activities

TCCL Managing Director Mr. Reinhardt Swart Unveils the commemorative plaque at Saruji Primary School in Tanga

Tanga Cement Company Ltd Alive in Community Investment Tanga Cement Company Limited (TCCL) is a producer and supplier of cement used in construction and making of concrete products. TCCL manufacturing facilities are ISO 9001:2008 certified and have stringent quality management system, which ensure the cement quality is strictly controlled at every stage of its manufacturing process. These controls guarantee a high level of product consistency. Since manufacturing commenced in1980, the company has maintained the good and consistent quality of its Simba brand cement products.

A

s in previous years, TCCL continues to make significant community investments.

This is done through the company’s Corporate Social Investment program, with the aim of maintaining

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good corporate citizenship, uplifting Tanzanian communities and developing social infrastructure for those around the company. The company’s commitment to social development follows the principle of giving back to the lives that it touches, either directly or indirectly.

This is done to ensure the long-term sustainability of the surrounding communities and beyond.

The major focus areas of TCCL’s Corporate Social Initiative policy include health, education, community development and the environment. As part of

September - October 2014

TCCL commitment to the sustainable development, the company recognizes its social responsibilities and aim to visibly play a leading role within the company’s spheres of influence. The CSR policy allows the company to spend up to 1% of its profit before tax within the Tanzanian community to specific and pre-defined projects. This year, the Company has already spent a total of Tzs99.4m for education projects.

The money was spent on construction of toilets for the Kasera Primary Scholl in Tanga, donation of cement for construction of secondary school laboratories – for Korogwe and Pangani districts, school refurbishment – Saruji Primary School in Tanga, and READ’s Library Refurbishment Programme.

CSR Activities READ’s Library Refurbishment Programme TCCL through its product, Simba Cement, and READ International are collaborating to set up libraries in 3 secondary schools, as part of The 2014 READ’s Library Refurbishment Programme The programme which was launched in July aim at creating libraries in secondary schools that improve and support access to books, create an environment that is conducive to study, and provide a creative space where reading for pleasure is encouraged. This is the 6th year that READ has been running this programme in Tanzania. TCCL is supporting the refurbishment of Chalinze Secondary (Bagamoyo District), Kinyerezi Secondary School (Ilala district) and Mingoyo Secondary School (Lindi Municipal district) for the total cost of Tzs46,586,100 (GBP 16,500). Each school has a spare classroom that has been selected to become the library.

READ has recruited university student volunteers who, working in teams, spend 3 weeks at each school working to transform a spare room into a brand new library. Their work includes making minor repairs to the building, repainting the walls, installing new furniture, setting up a referencing system for the books, and training library prefects.

Tanga Cement has been supporting education sector in the country by constructing classrooms, toilets for the schools and donating desks. This is the first library programme for the Company and READ International is the first NGO to partner with, in this programme.

Saruji Primary School in Tanga Tanga Cement has refurbished and handed over Saruji Primary School’s buildings to the school authority in Tanga. The school is located at Kichangani village, in the Tanga City.

The refurbishment included seven classrooms, four offices, store rooms and toilet blocks for students and teachers. The total amount spent was Tzs80million.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, TCCL Managing Director Mr. Reinhardt Swart said; “This is another milestone achieved for our Company.

We all understand that any school environment must be empowering, providing students with skills, knowledge as well as confidence that they need for taking control of their lives and their future”. Mr. Swart further said; “These are our children, they deserve great schooling and we are delivering them today. It is critically important that children are learning in a safe and

Pupils of Kasera Prim School at the newly built toilets. secure environment. After receiving the application from the school authority, we realized again, that our contribution to the nation future is paramount and of the highest priority. Education is key to any country’s development; and this has

always been motivating us to continue to support the development of education in Tanzania”.

Mr. Swart said that Tanga Cement strive to create enabling environments, learning and growth opportunities and a balanced approach to life. Noting that classrooms alone are not enough, Swart observed that when assisting schools, the company make sure that they are furnished and stocked and ensure that the

Chalinze Secondary School students in the Library.Tanga Cement and READ International are collaborating to set up libraries in 3 secondary schools as part of READ’s library refurbishment programme September - October 2014

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CSR Activities

hygiene factors are taken care of by also constructing flushing toilets and washing facilities.

Kasera Primary School TCCL has constructed and handed-over six toilets to Kasera Primary School.

The school is located at Maweni ward in Tanga. The Company spent a total of Tzs20 million (VAT incl.) for construction of the toilets.

Tanga Cement has extended this support to the school after learning from the media that the school is facing problem of toilets, the problem that could cause environmental and health problem to the school community and the neighbors.

Speaking during the handing over event, TCCL’s Deputy Commercial Manager Mr. Yassin Hussein said; “Tanga Cement Company Limited has been working together with all the stakeholders that have good intention for the Tanzanian community, and among those is Media. We heard news about Kasera primary school’s toilets problem from ITV in August 2013, the problem that could cause health hazards to the school community especially during the rain seasons. The

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The newly renovated classrooms at Saruji Primary School. The Classes were proudly renovated by Tanga Cement CO Ltd.

school had only one toilet and it was flooding during rain reason.

Mr. Hussein added; “Kasera Primary school is within the community that we operate in, so the Kasera community is our community. We are proud to support our own community; the community that can produce future employees of TCCL. I believe some of

Students of Chalinze Secondary School celebrate together with Tanga Cement and Read International officials these children are engineers, accountants, marketers and administrators of tomorrow, so taking care of their good health, are like we are taking care of September - October 2014

the future manpower”. Mr. Hussein believes that with this support, Kasera Primary school’s performance will increase as children will not have disturbances in their minds as well as the teachers will be teaching comfortably. “There will be no fear of health and environmental hazard even during the rain seasons, he concluded.

CSR Activities

portunity to offer education to more children meant to help them become better citizens and ultimately change their lives forever.”

Nairobi County Governor Dr. Evans Kidero (left) and Britam Group Managing Director Dr. Benson Wairegi (right) soon after breaking ground for construction of 8 classrooms at Olympic Primary School. The project will see Britam spend Kshs 20m

Britam to spend Kshs 20Million to build classrooms for Olympic Primary School in Kibra Constituency, Nairobi Diversified Financial services group Britam will spend Ksh 20 million to build new classrooms for Olympic Primary School in Kibra Constituency, Nairobi. Eight new classrooms will be built as part of the group’s Corporate Social Responsibility, in a move meant to ease congestion in the school and provide a better learning environment for the students. Olympic Primary School has over 3, 500 students, one of the highest student population in Nairobi country, with most of the

Students coming from the Kibera slums. Once complete, the additional classrooms will accommodate over 300 students, easing the pressure on the schools facilities and providing a better learning atmosphere.

The school has 32 permanent, and five temporary classes, with a shortfall of 50 classes. The Ideal number of classes for the current student population is 87. Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the classrooms,

Britam Group Managing Director Dr. Benson Wairegi said Britam has over the years been closely associated with education, adding that the company is the market leader in the provision of education insurance products and services in the country. He said Britam would work closely with stakeholders in the education sector to realize the ministry’s long term goal of providing quality education to Kenyan children as anchored in the Education pillar of Vision 2030. “As a group, we see this as an opSeptember - October 2014

He said that through the Britam Foundation, Britam was focused on initiatives that will help improve retention and performance of pupils in primary schools.

Nairobi County Governor, Dr. Evans Kidero noted that despite the great strides achieved by the provision of free primary education in the country, the lack of adequate infrastructure still posed a big challenge.

“The construction of the classrooms will come in handy as it will ease congestion and improve learning conditions at the school. On behalf of Nairobi County, I call upon other like-minded organizations to partner with the County Government and schools so that we can improve learning conditions in our institutions.” Olympic Primary performed very well in the years preceding the free primary school policy. Over the years, the school population has increased drastically resulting in stretched facilities. While the school continues to produce many brilliant students, the overall performance of the school has dropped due to strained facilities and the high student teacher ratio.

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Energy - Tanzania

Kibo Moves Closer to Finalising Key Commercial Agreements for Rukwa Coal to Power Project (RCPP)

K

ibo Mining plc, the mineral exploration and development company focused on gold, nickel, coal and uranium projects in Tanzania, is pleased to announce the latest progress with regard to the work undertaken during Phase 1, Stage 1, of the Rukwa Definitive Mine Feasibility Study (DMFS). After completion of a base case mining model, which confirmed that the Rukwa Coal Mine can be mined efficiently and within acceptable cost parameters, the study has entered the final part of Phase 1, Stage 1, still slightly ahead of schedule. Current study work is focused on scheduling and integrating the conceptual mine, engineering, processing and infrastructure designs into a financial model that will establish the initial capital and operating expenditures for the mine development.

The rapid progress and positive results from the DMFS work completed to date have also enabled the company to further engage

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with the relevant Tanzanian Government Departments and Utilities to agree the terms of reference within which the PPA, GCA and other related ancillary agreements will be developed and finalized. Between 22 –26 September 2014, these terms of reference were finalized, following a week of very successful and constructive discussions with the relevant Tanzanian Government stakeholders. The heads of terms for the CSA between Rukwa Coal LTD and Rukwa Power LTD were also finalized during this period. Louis Coetzee,C.E.O. of Kibo Mining, commented: “We are very pleased with the progress and results from the DMFS to date which continues to increase confidence in the viability of the RCPP at all levels. The successful and constructive discussion with Tanzanian Government stakeholders over the past week is a further major step forward in the development of the RCPP, with a particularly positive impact on reaching final agreement with potential development partners.”

Highlights • Agreement reached on terms of reference for development of Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and Grid Connection Agreement (GCA); • Agreement reached on initial heads of terms for Coal Sale Agreement (CSA);and • Detailed financial modelling of Rukwa Coal Mine commences About Kibo Kibo is an Irish registered company established in 2008 to focus on exploration and development of gold and nickel deposits in Tanzania. Its shares are quoted on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange and on the AltX board of the JSE in South Africa.

The Company is developing the Rukwa mouthof-mine thermal power station and controls one of Tanzania’s largest mineral

September - October 2014

right portfolios, including the Haneti (nickel, PGE and gold), Morogoro (gold), Lake Victoria (gold), and Pinewood (coal & uranium) projects. Kibo’s projects are located both in the established and gold prolific Lake Victoria Goldfields, the emerging goldfields of eastern Tanzania and the Mtwara Corridor in southern Tanzania, where the Government has prioritised infrastructural development, attracting significant recent investment in coal and uranium. Kibo’s objective is to build shareholder value sustainably. This will be achieved primarily through exploration of its own projects and leveraging the Company’s experience in Tanzania to acquire exploration and development assets on competitive terms. The focus is on assets that can be moved swiftly up the value curve whilst benefitting from strategic relationships with industry leaders with special skills and competencies within their chosen fields.

Energy TANZANIA

MAUREL & PROM SIGNS TANZANIA GAS DEAL

Maurel & Prom is operator and holds a 48.06% participation interest in production operations and 60.075% participation interest in exploration operations

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rench Oil Producer Maurel & Prom announces that, along with Mnazi Bay license partners Wentworth and Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC), it has signed a gas sales and purchase agreement with TPDC for the long-term sale of natural gas from the Mnazi Bay and Msimbati fields in southern Tanzania to the government owned and operated Mtwara to Dar es Salaam pipeline and Madimba central processing facility (“Pipeline Project”) currently under construction and scheduled for completion and commissioning in Q1 2015.

Pursuant to the Mnazi

Bay GSA, the Mnazi Bay Partners are contracted to supply to the Pipeline Project up to a maximum 80 mmcf/ day of natural gas during the first eight months with the option to increase over time to a maximum 130 mmcf/day of natural gas for up to 17-year supply period.

The gas will be sold and purchased at the inlet to a 16 inch pipeline connecting the Mnazi Bay gas production facility to the Madimba central processing facility.

The initial delivery is expected to begin during the period 22 January 2015 and 22 April 2015 and be at a fixed price of US$3.00 per mmbtu (approximately US$3.07 per mcf) escalating with United States

CPI Industrial index. The Mnazi Bay GSA is subject to certain conditions, including the Tanzanian government providing all necessary approvals and providing an executed version of payment security agreements.

With a long-term contract in place, the Mnazi Bay Partners will use the time before the commencement of first gas delivery to construct and commission the necessary surface infrastructure, inclusive of separation facilities and flow lines, to tie existing wells into the Pipeline Project.

Gas will be produced from the existing four wells in the Mnazi Bay and Msimbati fields and these wells are expected to be capable of producing natural gas sufficient to meet the initial 80 mmcf/day delivery volumes under the Mnazi Bay GSA. Maurel & Prom is operator and holds a 48.06% participation interest in production operations and 60.075% participation interest in exploration operations. The remaining participating interest in production operations are held by Wentworth with 31.94% and TPDC with 20%. The Maurel & Prom Group entered Tanzania in July 2004 with the BigwaRufiji-Mafia permit, which it operates with a 60% interest. It further strengthened its positions in 2009 by acquiring the production permit for Mnazi Bay, which it operates with a 48.06% interest, from Artumas.

Strong Reputation In less than 10 years, Maurel & Prom has built a strong reputation as an onshore operator with the

September - October 2014

Tanzanian authorities and local stakeholders. The Group is recognised as having been a pioneer in a region that is estimated to have very strong potential for gas. The Mnazi Bay field will move into production in 2015, enabling the Group to generate a second source of cash-flow, alongside its operations in Gabon. This represents a significant step forward with developing the value of this asset, which will contribute to the Group’s cash-flow on a long-term basis from next year. With the signing of this contract, the Group will be able to book the reserves from the Mnazi Bay field.

The teams that have been working to develop these assets are delighted with the development of their activities, while their efforts will be rewarded shortly when the gas pipeline is brought into service.

Worldwide presence As a mid-size oil & gas Company listed on the Paris market (in €), Maurel & Prom has proven experience as an oil operator with a presence in Africa and Latin America.

In 10 years, the Group has designed oil systems; drilled more than 100 exploration wells with a success rate of more than 46% and discovered major fields at minimum cost. Currently working in 12 countries on 4 continents, Maurel & Prom is extremely focused on exploration and maximisation of the value of its acreage.

That is why the company’s management is comprised exclusively of professionals with strong track records in the oil & gas industry

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Energy RWANDA

Rwanda to Persuade Energy and Infrastructure Investors

Nyabarongo Dam is now complete

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he Government of Rwanda is seeking to use the forthcoming iPAD Rwanda Power and Infrastructure Investment Forum to attract investors for its energy and infrastructure sectors. The summit will provide an investment platform for Africa’s next ‘best’ business opportunity that Rwanda should utilize fully. The meeting will provide market entry for international investors, as well as technology and solution providers to deliver a viable investment plan to increase power capacity in the country.

The two-day forum is organized by the Rwanda Development Board and the Rwanda Energy Group.

The forum will take place from November 3-4 2014 at Serena Hotel in Kigali, the Capital city of Rwanda.

The iPAD Rwanda Power and Infrastructure Investment Forum will play an

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important role in the transformation of Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment and innovation. Rwanda is open for business and investors are called upon to come and tap into Rwanda’s enormous investment opportunities in the power and infrastructure sectors, and the government

Minister of Infrastructure, Hon. James Musoni is committed to providing a stable and investor-friendly business climate.

The meeting is expected to bring together regional and international investors, project developers, finance houses, construction and planning companies, technology providers, as well as government representatives.

According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Rwanda needs to invest about $3 billion to increase access to electricity from 16 per cent to 70 per cent by 2017. The country’s total installed generation capacity currently stands at September - October 2014

119 MW and is projected to reach 563MW by 2017.

Basing on the recent reforms, the Government split the former national utility, Energy, Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA) into two separate companies; Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG Ltd) and Water and Sanitation Corporation Limited (WASAC Ltd) to help improve service delivery and efficiency.

The Government is looking to accelerate economic growth, improve social welfare where energy is seen as key infrastructure

Energy RWANDA

Hon.Musoni with delegation on tour

pillar towards achieving the set goals and objectives of Vision 2020 which aims at promoting growth driven by private investments. The Government is promoting infrastructure development to spur economic growth. The Ministry of infrastructure is responsible for Energy, Water and Sanitation, Transport and Housing and urbanization infrastructure development in Rwanda.

NYABARONGO PROJECT VISIT On 2nd September 2014, Minister of Infrastructure Hon. James Musoni, Minister of State in charge of Energy and Water Hon. Germaine Kamayirese and the Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Energy Group Limited (REG Ltd) Mr. Jean Bosco Mugiraneza visited Nyabarongo I Hydro Power Plant Project to monitor the progress of the project. The project is located in the West central part of Rwanda within the boundaries of the town ships of Kibilira, Kivumu and Bulinga approximately

32 km from town (Musanze District) approximately 80 km from Kigali. According to Engineer Bosco Mugabo, the Nyabarongo project Electromechanical Consultant, this project was initiated in the line of increasing energy access to Rwandans towards the sustainable economic development. After observing that the project had delayed due to a “few technical glitches” and that the deadline of April 19 was never met, Minister Musoni said Angelique International had indicated that most of the work is complete now and that they were confident of launching it next month (October).

“There were a few technical problems but Angelique has been able to sort them out. They are confident that they will be able to transmit 28 megawatts from the dam on the national electricity grid, and this will tremendously benefit all Rwandans,” Musoni said. The Government of Rwanda represented by the Ministry of Infrastructure (MININFRA) and the Min-

istry of Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) hired two experienced Indian companies: Angelique International Ltd and BHEL for the construction activities of this project and the current overall progress of project is estimated at 95% completion. This project is expected to be completed by October 2014.

RURAL SOLAR ELECTRIFICATION AGREEMENT Meanwhile, Government of Rwanda (GoR) in September signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ignite Power Ltd, The MoU provides the framework for large scale deployment of solar electric systems across rural communities in Rwanda, following successful implementation of a pilot project of 1000 households.

The Government of Rwanda and Ignite will then enter into a long term agreement whereby Ignite will install between 250,000 and 1 million solar electric systems across Rwanda.

September - October 2014

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Rwanda Development Board’s Chief Executive Officer Francis Gatare said; “The project is part of the Vision 2020 plan to increase access to electricity in the rural communities. This project will enable energy access in places that would be hard to connect to the main grid. We believe renewable energy projects like this have multiple advantages by providing clean and environmentallyfriendly energy.

Yariv Cohen, Chairman of the Clean Access Initiative said; “Clean energy is the best solution for Africa power needs. Distributed solar energy is enabling communities to leapfrog beyond the grid and bring power quicker and cheaper to African communities. We are proud to partner with the Government of Rwanda and take part in this transformational effort of deploying access to energy at large scale.”

Ignite Power, backed

by Liquidnet and Aghozo Shalom Youth Village, is engaged in large scale deployment of clean energy solutions in Africa. Ignite Power project is the second step in the Clean Access Initiative for rapid deployment of Clean Energy across Africa which was developed together with Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Power Generation Targets Rwanda energy primary use is dominated by biomass which accounts for 86.3%; Hydropower, accounts for 59% and thermal (fossil fuel) for 40% and 1% methane gas. The country is working towards reducing Biomass (wood energy) to 50% from 86.3% by 2020.

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Construction Machinery

Chief guest cutting the ribbon to officially open the new outlet. The outlet is located along Nakuru’s Kijabe Street

ALIBHAI SHARIFF LAUNCHES FIRST FRANCHISE OUTLET IN NAKURU The company seeks to expand its reach across the country

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eading building material provider Alibhai Shariff on 20th September announced the establishment of a franchise outlet in Nakuru.

The Alibhai Shariff Building Centre, which has been set up through a new fran-

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chise arrangement with Rift Valley Glaziers Limited, will see the company expand its reach, and bring its expertise closer to customers in the region. The franchisee, Rift Valley Glaziers Limited, is the leading supplier of glass, aluminum and hardware, in and around

Nakuru, with over 40 years of experience in this field.

With such a strong partnership comprising the vision of Alibhai Shariff and the experience and networks of Rift Valley Glaziers Ltd, the accrued benefits for business expansion are bound to be impressive.

September - October 2014

The establishment of this franchise outlet underpins Alibhai Shariff’s growth strategy in the country, as demonstrated recently by the establishment of its new outlet in the TRM Mall, along Nairobi’s Thika Road.

Speaking during the opening of the Nakuru outlet, Alibhai Shariff’s Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rafiq Shariff noted, “We are pleased to open this new outlet in Nakuru as part of our ongoing expansion strategy, which seeks to ensure we bring our services closer to our customers.”

Mr. Shariff noted further, “Nakuru is widely regarded as one of the fastest growing towns in East Africa, and this is evidenced by the construction boom both within the town as well as in the outlying areas. Through this outlet, we will be able to meet the current and future needs of the construction industry, as well as those of home owners who seek

Construction Machinery “At Alibhai Shariff, we pride ourselves in providing top of the range products from leading international brands. We have excelled in this for many years and now would like to align our operations with the development we will begin to witness outside traditional growth centres

to undertake Do-It-Yourself (DIY) projects in their homes.” Alibhai Sharriff’s move aligns the company’s strategy with the country’s growth vision, and the new constitutional dispensation that seeks to decentralize development across the country. The growth of new markets has created demand for holistic construction solutions.

Located along Nakuru town’s Kijabe Road, the exhibition-oriented Alibhai Shariff Building Centre will house various products from top international brands, ranging from hand and power tools (Dewalt, Stanley, Black&decker, Crescent, Welder), bathroom ceramics, accessories and fittings (Twyford, Geesa, Grohe) professional cleaning equipment (Karcher), roofing solutions (Onduline) and multilayer piping systems (Henco) The product range targets an entire spectrum of users who range from

project managers, right down to DIY enthusiasts “At Alibhai Shariff, we pride ourselves in providing top of the range products from leading international brands. We have excelled in this for many years and now would like to align our operations with the development we will begin to witness outside traditional growth centres. We want to ensure that we are present not just in Nairobi, but across the country, so that we can provide accessible and relevant solutions for the construction industry as and when needed,” added Mr. Shariff.

Mr. Shariff stated that the Nakuru outlet is the pilot project for establishment of franchise arrangements across the country. As such the company hopes to replicate this model in major centres across the country.

“Demand is growing alongside an appetite for quality and variety. This partnership is strategic for us, and will help us provide out loyal, as well as prospective new customers

“Demand is growing alongside an appetite for quality and variety with end-to-end building solutions, Mr. Murtaza Hebatullah, Director of Rift Valley Glaziers Limited commented. In addition to its expansion strategy, the company recently launched The Alibhai Shariff Centre of Excellence, in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Education and Technology and Housing Finance Foundation. The Centre will enable local artisans to enhance their skills in carpentry, metal fabrication, painting and electrical works, at no cost.

September - October 2014

About Alibhai Shariff Alibhai Shariff has been in operation in Kenya for the past 91 years. Renowned for its provision of quality and holistic construction solutions, the company provides a range of products and services for domestic and commercial use including: hardware, sanitary ware, equipment as well as DIY tools from leading local and international brands.

At Alibhai Shariff, we strive to “create beautiful, quality spaces for work and living” and constantly strive towards growing our business for this very purpose.

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Irrigation Infrastructure

Commissioning of Galana Kalalu Food Security Project and launch of consultancy service by HE. President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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s envisaged in the Kenya Vision 2030, irrigation can make Kenya a food self sufficient country, create wealth for the rural communities, provide employment for the youth, lead to industrial growth by promotion of production of industrial crops like sugar, cotton, corn among others. The Government of Kenya and development partners have been supporting irrigation development to this far, and The National Irrigation Board’s (NIB) management appreciates the efforts done by the government and all development partners for the support in enhancing irrigation development in the country. With consistent funding, the irrigation development targets of vision 2030 and the Jubilee manifesto will be attained and transform the country

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INVESTING IN IRRIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE TO ENHANCE FOOD SECURITY to a food basket and food self-sufficient state.

NIB was established in 1966 through the Irrigation Act (Cap 347) with a mandate to, inter alia, manage control and improve irrigation schemes in the country. Presently, the Board manages seven national irrigation schemes.

The schemes include those that were established under the ALDEV programme to provide settlements to the landless or to increase agricultural productivity. The initial schemes were Mwea (8,000 ha), Hola (2,000 ha) and Perkerra (800 ha).

Latter NIB developed new schemes at Ahero (900 September - October 2014

ha), Bura (4,000ha), West Kano (900 ha) and Bunyala (700 ha). The schemes are primarily irrigated either through pumps (Ahero, Bunyala, West Kano, Bura and Hola) or gravity canal abstractions (Perkerra, Mwea).

The other functions of the Board include coordina-

Irrigation Infrastructure

Drip irrigation system installed in kibwezi tion of construction and rehabilitation of irrigation and drainage infrastructure within the public schemes, operation and maintenance of major irrigation and drainage infrastructure, administering land in the public schemes and providing technical advice to farmers.

Recent Strides in Irrigation The Government through the Board has embarked on the actualization of the one million acre irrigation project called the Galana- Kulalu Food Security Project in Tana River and Kilifi Counties as well as continued rehabilitation and expansion of existing irrigation schemes and small holder irrigation projects.

The current total acreage of area under irrigation in the country is four hundred and twenty five thousand (425,000 acres) with the Board having one hundred and twenty nine (129) irrigation projects spread all over the forty seven (47) counties.

Lined Canal in Mwea Irrigation Scheme RECENT NIB PROJECTS 1. Turkana Irrigation Projects The Turkwel and Kerio River Basins Irrigation Projects have been developed using the water resources from Rivers Turkwel and Kerio and their potential is estimated at 30,000ha. To date small holder projects namely Katilu, Lokubae, Elelea, Kaburokol, Nadapal, Kalemunyang, Nakamane, Nakwamoru, Morulem among others have been developed in the target area with a combined acreage of 5,000 acres under crop.

Farmers in these schemes with an example of Katilu have had bumper harvest and have moved from the cycle of dependency on relief food. Continued devel-

opment of irrigation project in this area will fully address the food needs for the Turkana community and solve the food security problem.

2. Modern technology in irrigation The water resource in Kenya is limited making it a water scarce country.

With this in mind, the Board has initiated the process of modernizing the irrigation system to take into account the water scarcity. The modernization process has made development of irrigation activities in regions with scarce water resources possible. It ensures that every drop of water is accounted for and utilized efficiently.

Some of the technologies adopted include:

September - October 2014

(a) DRIP IRRIGATION SYSTEM In Drip irrigation, water is conveyed under pressure through a pipe system to the fields, where it drips slowly onto the soil through emitters or drippers which are located close to the plants. Only the immediate root zone of each plant is wetted. Therefore this can be a very efficient method of irrigation. Drip irrigation is sometimes called trickle irrigation.

The Board has concluded the installation of a complete drip irrigation system for 800 acres in Kibwezi making the scheme the largest drip irrigation system installed for farmers in Kenya. Most regions in the country are benefiting from this system through

37

Irrigation Infrastructure the installation of the drip irrigation kits and distribution of green houses.

Drip irrigation kits- NIB has installed for farmers in Kibwezi, Makueni County.

NIB installed green houses and drip irrigation kits for farmers at Ihindu irrigation project in Nakuru County. (b) SPRINKLER IRRIGATION Sprinkler irrigation is similar to natural rainfall.

Water is pumped through a pipe system and then sprayed onto the crops through rotating sprinkler heads. The schemes under sprinkler include Iviani, Kiboko, Marega, Iraru, Muringa Banana, Kaagari Gaturi, Kamuthambya, Githiru, Kirimukuyu, Riamukurwe, Habasweni, and Khorof Haral among others. (c) CENTER PIVOT A center pivot sprinkler irrigation system (CPSIS) consists of a continuously moving, horizontal rotating single lateral supported by towers and anchored at a fixed pivot point at the center of the field. This system irrigates a circular field unless end guns and swing lines are cycled in corner areas to irrigate more of a square field. Center pivots are adaptable for any height crop and are particularly suited to lighter soils. The Board has installed a center pivot system in Bura irrigation scheme targeting 1,000 acres. (d) TRAVELING GUN IRRIGATION SYSTEM The Traveling (walking) Irrigation Sprinkler (TIS) is completely water powered using a field proven and efficient turbine drive system which utilizes the flow and pressure from the hose to

38

retract the reel at the speed you choose. It has been installed in Tana irrigation scheme for 1,000 acres.

3. Effective water conveyance (a) Canal lining The most important reason for canal lining is to reduce seepage losses and increase water conveyance efficiency. Lining of canals is being prioritized in the new schemes being developed such as Rapsu, Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Migori and Lower Sio project in Busia County. Other existing schemes whose canals have been lined include Mwea Irrigation scheme through funding from World Bank, Bura and Perkerra. Canal lining allows additional areas to be cropped thus increasing crop productivity. (b) Water storage The Board has put in place measures to store water for irrigation use aiming at increasing productivity in areas facing major challenge in water management. Through funding

Maize crop in Lokubae Irrigation Scheme in Turkana County

from JICA the Board is in the process of developing the Thiba dam that will stabilize the flow of water in the Mwea Irrigation scheme and expand the scheme from 22,000acres to 50,000acres. In Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, the Board is concluding a study to stabilize water flow in Perkerra River by constructing a dam on river Perkerra at Radat and modernizing the irrigation system to attain 10,000acres. In Bura irrigation scheme, the Board has adopted night water storage for Irrigation use. Other dams to be developed for water storage include the Maara, lowaat, Thwake, Nyatike, Maira dams among others. (c) From pump fed to gravity fed NIB is expected to develop schemes and hand them to beneficiaries for operations and maintenance. The cost of maintaining pumped September - October 2014

schemes is very high. The Board has undertaken designs to adopt gravity fed system of irrigation in the following schemes: Ahero, West Kano and South West Kano, Bura and Tana Irrigation schemes. The same is also used in Katilu and lokubae. This move will enhance the Board’s expansion effort and thus increase area under irrigation.

4. Galana- Kulalu Food Security Project The project aims to enhance national food security through increased productivity of the Ranches by deploying modern agriculture technology on crop, livestock and fisheries production; encouraging tourism activities; and integration of sustainable utilization of other natural resources. In order to develop the ranch at a fast pace a number of co-current activities were embarked upon by the Government through National Irrigation Board (NIB) working in conjunction with the Agricultural Development Corporation.

Banking Sector

NATIONAL BANK ROLLS OUT NEW INTERNET AND MOBILE BANKING APPLICATION

National Bank MD and CEO, Munir Ahmed and Ag. Director Corporate And Institutional Banking Emma Mwongeli go through the motions of transacting using the Natmobile platform after its launch

After recording a half-year profit before tax of Ksh. 1.248 billion, 32 percent up from the Ksh. 944 million posted same period last year, National Bank introduced a new mobile and internet application to keep up with the customers need for faster and convenient banking and financial transactions online.

The two applications, the mobile application dubbed NatMobile and internet application, NatConnect will offer a convergence of solutions delivering both banking services and financial information on

customer’s mobile phones and through the internet.

Speaking during the launch, National Bank Managing Director Munir Sheikh Ahmed said the surge in mobile phone access and internet usage has seen a rise in both mobile and

internet banking transactions in the last few years and there was a need to engage customer through these platforms.

“Through NatConnect and NatMobile, customers will be able to enjoy benefits which include deposit through all channels including over the counter, fund transfer to other National Bank accounts, airtime purchase, loan repayment, balance enquiry, forex enquiry, mini--statement and M-PESA to Bank Transfer,” said Ahmed. The Mobile App. NatMobile will be available to all National Bank customers with Android, September - October 2014

IOS, and Blackberry phones including all Windows Smart, subscription.

“Through the new platforms, NatConnect and NatMobile will go a long-waytowards helping National Bank increase its customers touch points and value proposition,” added Ahmed. National Bank has been running on the Simple banking Mobile Banking platform that it looks to phase out in favour of the new NatMobile platform developed locally that is tied to a particular network and has enhanced security features and allows multiple internal transfers and bulk transfers.

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ICT

EAST AFRICA IN TOP POSITION IN AFRICA FOR INTERNET ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY, KENYA LEADS

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enya currently leads in African connectivity with the highest bandwidth per person on the continent, the fastest speeds, and some of the lowest internet costs. This is according to a recent presentation by Internet provider Liquid Telecom Kenya CEO Ben Roberts, at the EastAfrica.com conference in Nairobi. “Investment in the continent’s connectivity is creating multiple benefits that Kenya demonstrates as a clear example of a virtuous circle, where each investment accelerates the next, with an ever increasing footprint of beneficiaries,” said Mr Roberts.

Following on from the connec-

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“Kenya has achieved a confluence of infrastructure and provision that has positioned it with the highest growth in internet take-up compared to income per capita in Africa,”

tion of the continent’s most concentrated cluster of undersea cables; the galloping development of the Kenyan Internet Exchange Point; the creation of thousands of Points of Presence by international and national service and content providers – delivering speedier content; and the achievement of the second cheapest internet costs on the continent, Kenya has now emerged in the top position in Africa for internet access.

“Kenya has achieved a confluence of infrastructure and provision that has positioned it with the highest growth in internet take-up compared to income per capita in Africa,” said Mr Roberts. “It has effectively become an outlier in its internet take-up, and seen Nairobi join Johannesburg as one of Africa’s two regional internet hubs.”

September - October 2014

ICT

“The investment in this key national and local infrastructure is absolutely key to further increasing African internet speeds and reducing the cost of internet use to all users,”

In its report on ‘Lifting Barriers to Internet Development in Africa”, the Internet Society found that Kenya had outperformed in surmounting a series of infrastructure barriers to arrive at its now emerging internet leadership.

The country has more undersea cables than any other nation on the East African coast, with government support having been directed at increasing access and participation by more carriers. The landing of the East African Submarine Cable System (EASSy), The East African Marine System (TEAMS), SEACOM and LION high-capacity submarine cables brought a 20fold increase in international bandwidth in the country to 20Gbit per second.

Kenya also has more licensed international gateways than any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, now at 13, in total, according to the Internet Society.

The localization of internet connections through the Kenya Internet Exchange Point (KIXP) has also been

critical to Kenya’s emerging internet leadership. KIXP allows local internet users to interconnect locally, without traffic being pointed back to the US or Europe. The Kenyan exchange is now localizing more than 1Gbit/s of peak traffic, dramatically reducing latency from 200600ms to 2-10ms on average, while allowing ISPs to save almost $1.5m per year on international connectivity, and to make revenue gains on increased internet usage – on faster speeds – of as much as $6m a year per operator.

In 2011, Google installed a Google Global Cache (GGC) in Kenya, retaining static content, such as YouTube videos, after it has been downloaded in Kenya, which has also had a significant impact on ISP traffic levels. For example, the Internet Society reported that the educational network, KENET, experienced a roughly ten-fold increase in Google usage, from 20Megabits per second to 200Megabits per second, after the cache was estab-

lished, attributing the rise to better speeds.

Shifting content and routing to the local exchange has similarly impacted the mobile operators. According to an ‘Assessment of the Impact of Internet Exchange Points – Empirical Study of Kenya and Nigeria by the Internet Society’, one operator alone is seeing a revenue increase of just under $6,000,000 a year from the rise in locally routed Internet traffic.

The country has benefited in much broader ways again from its rapid embrace of local internet infrastructure. The Kenya Revenue Authority used local routing that saw 160,524 citizens file their income taxes online in the first half of fiscal year 2011, and 5,000 users register for the customs system, representing 95 per cent of the industry. Technology, according to the taxman, has been key in assisting it meet its tax collection targets.

The benefits of the KIXP are also beginning to extend beyond Kenya’s borders.

September - October 2014

As of January 2012, 56 per cent of the Autonomous System numbers routed through the KIXP in the previous six months were from 16 foreign countries, ranging from Botswana to Zimbabwe, and as far away as the United States.

Cross-border terrestrial networks are also expanding rapidly in Africa. Carriers still largely use intra-African capacity to connect with submarine cable stations for onward transit to Europe, rather than to facilitate the exchange of African traffic, but this is beginning to change.

“The investment in this key national and local infrastructure is absolutely key to further increasing African internet speeds and reducing the cost of internet use to all users,” said Mr Roberts.

Liquid Telecom’s fibre network now stretches over 17,000kms across country borders, including the first ever regional fibre ring connecting the east African countries to each other and the rest of the world.

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Expert Corner PROFILE FEATURE//DAVIS INFRASTRUCTURE & SHIRTLIFF

Which solar heating Opens Branches in Naivasha system best suits your and Machakos Towns home?

DAVIS & SHIRTLIFF

Davis & Shirtliff recently opened branches in Naivasha town which is located along Moi Road and in Machakos town which is located along Mbolu - Malu Road.

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From left D&Sleaves Machakos Manager Machakos: ll homeowna lotBranch to be desired.

Robert Mwanza with staff Eunice Mwende and Juma ers and tenHot showers can be costly, Waithaka.

ants want to with the electricity used to beInfrastructure able to & Engineering heat water accounting East Africa Review | May / Junefor 2014 have a hot more than a third of the shower with plentiful water average household electricbut even in some up market ity bill. properties across Kenya, Indeed, in a housethe experience of showering hold of five, where the

42

Naivasha: From left D&S Naivasha Branch Manager Arthur Kioni with staff Sharon Nyang’au and Dominic Wachira.

monthly electricity bill isKShs 5,000,at least KShs 1,650goeson heating water.

But this need not be the case. Kenya receives an estimated 4 to 6 kWh per square meter a day of solar power, according to the Climate Innovation Centre September - October 2014

(CIC).This is far more than the 2.3kWh consumed by the average household each day, according to23 data from East African Community.

This natural solar advantage in Kenya, coupled with the rise of the cost of electricity to 48 cents per

Expert Corner unit in June 2014,up from 30 cents per unit, is set to prompt many more well informed consumers to move to solar water heaters, which are already in use in over 75,000 households across the country.

Many developers are now equipping homes with solar water heaters as they build, in a move to cut the running costs for future occupants without compromising on the luxury of hot water. Indeed, it is a pre-requisite for planning permission now that all new developments must have a provision for solar water heaters.

For those installing themselves, there are choices to be made on the best kind of solar water heater to install, based on the amount of hot water needed and a home’s location and the layout of its plumbing system.

The most effective solar water heaters are made up of a storage tank and a solar collector. Cold water is fed into the solar collector and the heat exchange between the collector body and the water results in a phenomena called the thermosyphon effect which causes the water to circulate as it heats up over a period so that eventually one is left with a large tank of hot water ready for use.

In choosing a solar water heater, the sizes of a household will dictate the tank capacity. Dayliff solar water heating systems, for example, are supplied in three basic sizes of 160-litre, 220-litre and 320-litre tank capacity, suitable for households of five, seven or ten people. Much larger commercial systems are also available on request.

The exposure of a home to solar heat is important

too, with more temperate climates, such as Nairobi, needing solar collectors with a larger surface area than would be necessary in the tropical conditions of the Kenyan coast.

Generally, the solar tanks are fitted on to a frame together with the collector and placed on the roof. But for aesthetic reasons, the tank can easily be concealed under the roof.

Another critical factor in choosing which system to install is the water condition.

If the water is aggressive and with a high salt content, then solar collectors with direct contact between the heating elements and the water will not be suitable and an indirect system must be specified.

Indirect solar water systems work by running non-mineralized heating liquid through the solar collector, which then goes into a jacket around the tank and transfers heat to the ordinary water held with the tank.

Though widely used at the Coast,where water is often quite saline, indirect systems are a less efficient option than direct solar heating, but it is important to test the water pumped into your home before selecting a system.

With solar heat only available during sunlight hours, solar heated water may not be available throughout the day. If it is used in the evening, for example, there might be insufficient hot water in the

morning. For this reason, the tanks are available with automatic electric booster heaters so that hot water is available even at times of low irradiation.

Obviously it is essential to fit solar systems so that they are exposed to as much direct sunlight as possible with a roof pitch of about 15 degrees and a NorthSouth orientation facing the equatorbeing optimal.

If correctly sized and installed, solar water heaters are effective and reliable, though it is important that the unit you choose is of high quality, robust and efficient. This will ensure reduced power costs by up to 60 per cent, with the system being able to meet as much as 90 per cent of

September - October 2014

the household’s hot water demands.

With prices of good quality domestic solar water heaters ranging from Sh105,000 to Sh165,000 depending on size, the payback period is usually lies between 2 and 3 years depending on usage.

It is, however, always imperative to consult with a professional and competent contractor who has been certified by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) prior to investing in any equipment in order to ensure that the system will be effective.

The writer is the Business Development Manager of Davis and Shirtliff.

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