Figure 4-22 – County level context of the extents of the Kaiti River Park Proposal

Future development

The river-bank waterfront is already a natural destination, and its morphology almost naturally suggests gateways, core-areas, potential crossing, ideal landmark locations and interfaces with the town.

With an indicative area of interest stretching approximately 4 km, between the eastern and western peninsulas, there is a great potential for the river park to accommodate a large variety of experiences and forms of low-key developments. Starting with a core area around the Machakos-Wote Rd Bridge, the leisure facilities of the park will expand, as a minimum, within the already urbanised areas.

An ambitious expansion of this concept, might also see the Kaiti River becoming a major east-west leisure green corridor equipped with paths, visitor facilities, wayfinding and cycle lanes stretching as a far as the limits of the county, namely 25km East to the Galana River and approximately 42km West (same length as a marathon) to the Kiima-Kiu hill, and further beyond on the Nairobi-Mombasa Rd. A county wide blue-green and leisure network might become an interesting value offering and drive return visits.

As the town grows, Kaiti River has the potential to become the crucial central link that connects the north and south. A linear river park approach is proposed which puts forward the concept of blue-green infrastructure and focusses on addressing multiple challenges of connectivity, conservation, flood protection, and safe crossings by proposing strategic urban interventions.

Figure 4-22 – County level context of the extents of the Kaiti River Park Proposal

Source: Atkins analysis