Francis Kollum, CEO of Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort and AK chairman Isaiah Kiplagat during the presentation of a cheque worth Sh500,000 towards the 2011 Kass Marathon

Over 2000 runners have registered to compete in the Sunday Kass Marathon in Eldoret.

However, organisers expect the numbers to double in the final week of receiving entries owing to the peculiar late registration habit by many Kenyan. The race, staged at an altitude of over 6,000 feet above sea level, will test the athletes’ endurance and speed as they battle for the Sh1.5 million that is up for grabs for the male and female winners.

On Tuesday, the organisers paraded several sponsors, who gave out their donations towards the event.

The event will see runners fight for honours in the 42km, 12km and 5km races. The title sponsors for the event are Trans-National Bank who gave out Sh5 million.

Others who chipped in are Jamii Telecom(sh5 Million), Kass Media Group (Sh5 million), Safaricom (Sh1million), National Social Security Fund (NSSF) Sh1million. Sergoit Golf Resort, National Bank and Toyota each gave out Sh500,000. Zuku TV gave (Sh250,000) and Chase Bank (Sh100,000).

Philip Melly, Kass head of commercial (centre), Julius Lamaon, CEO Kass FM (right), and AK chairman AK Isaiah Kiplagat during the presentation of a cheque worth Sh5 million towards Kass Marathon race. Photo: Kibera Mbugua/Standard

Launching pad

“We hope this event will grow even bigger and provide a platform for our athletes to break the world marathon record here at home,” said Julius Lamaon, the Kass Media Group Chief Executive.

There is also a special prize money of Sh500,000 ($5,000) for the first foreign athlete to cross the line.

Athletics Kenya chairman Isiah Kiplagat who spoke at the event praised the organisers of the marathon and said his association will continue to support their efforts to see to it that it attains world class standards.

“Since this event is run at a high altitude, it makes it difficult to attain a world record but we hope in future that the world body can consider coming up with a high altitude record considering that all records are broken at low altitudes and flat courses,” he said.

Kiplagat said it is mandatory for all those organizing races in the country to obtain permits from Athletics Kenya or risk being arrested.

AK wants all races to have a legitimate permit, which is meant to help in the control of the number of races an athlete can take part in order to ensure that they don’t burn out.

“We have already sent out a circular asking race organisers to obtain a permit from our office. Failure to do this may lead to prosecution. We will also take disciplinary action against our members who participate in unsanctioned events,” he said.

Kiplagat also asked organisers of the Standard Chartered marathon to consider having only one race at a time instead of staging all six at the same time.

The Nairobi International Marathon has six race cadres — the 42Km full marathon, 21km half marathon, 10km road race, 5km family fun run, 42km wheel chair race and 42km tri-cycle race. Most big city races have different days for each race.

Kiplagat said that AK is working with several sponsors to come up with a jackpot series of marathon race, which will encompass four local 42km race — Nairobi, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu – where the winner walks away with a substantial bounty.

1. What’s your professional background?

I have a bachelors and a masters degree in Landscape Design from the Agricultural University of China, Beijing. I am one of the seven Chinese golf course architects certified by the Golf Course Builders Association of America. I have designed 147 golf estates since I started the company in 1992.

My company specialises in landscape engineering, golf course planning, design and construction, golf estate planning and golf club management.

We have done golf estates in Canada, Thailand, South Korea, Mongolia, Australia among others. We have just finished design phase of a project in Angola.

2. What’s the concept behind a golf estate?

Golfing originally started in Scotland about 700 years ago. But the trend of incorporating golf with real estate started in the US about 30 years ago.

In China it caught up in the late 80s and we now have 150 golf communities while the US boasts more than 30,000. Europe has about 4,000. Asia and Africa still have a lot of potential for golf estates, which offer a serene living experience in a pleasant, safe and well serviced neighbourhood. Recreation is also a big part of golf estates.

3. How did you get to work in Kenya?

My company was tasked with construction of Thika Greens Golf Estate in Thika, and now we are doing Sergoit Golf Estate in Eldoret from design to construction.

4. What’s your view of the market here?

Kenya is undoubtedly the strongest economy in East Africa and because many Kenyans now have disposable income, their lifestyle standards have gone up, thus the demand for golf estates.

This country is renown for its wildlife and also has a pleasant climate conducive to golfing and it should now be sold as a golfing destination. In this continent, South Africa is currently leading in golf tourism.

Kenyans should build a variety of golf courses, say in Maasai Mara or at the National park where golfers can see animals as well, or even at the seaside. That way it becomes an interesting destination.

5. What environmental issues did you consider while designing Sergoit Golf Estate?

Sergoit is a mountainous area with lots of trees, vegetation and animals. We wanted to preserve as much of these features as possible.

We have three small lakes, which we will protect by having high-end lake-front developments and parks.

We are recycling water by cleaning it with specialised plants so that some is used for agriculture and watering the lawns while some is used in the houses for flashing toilets or even washing cars. We intend to have a lot of greenhouse agriculture as well.

6. What facilities does the estate have?

It is well serviced with social infrastructure such as schools, a conference centre, a shopping mall, a spa, cinema, a Five-Star tourist’s resort, an athletics training range and even a golf academy.

For the real estate sections, we have a variety of houses — those for the high-income earners, middle income earners and even retirees.

The retirement village is made up of special bungalows, which will be friendly to invalids and the aged — with ramps instead of stairs and low level fittings. We will also have leisure areas for them and their caretakers.

Our company will be the contractor and we will ensure high standards.

7. How does the estate affect the local community?

Golf estates create jobs for the local community and we intend to create 5,000 jobs. We will also train local green keepers who can maintain the golfing facilities after we hand over.

Nobody will be displaced in the process as the land is not occupied and we have environmental protection as a top priority.

Of course the estate will raise the standards of living in the area, be the flagship landmark and contribute heavily to the taxman.

8. Do you have other jobs coming up in Kenya?

We are in discussions with several developers, but nothing that I am at liberty to talk about now.

9. There is the notion that Chinese contractors are flooding the market with substandard materials and supplies. What do you have to say about that and what is your starategy on imported facilities?

In China, you will find both the very high quality and substandard materials, fittings and appliances. It is the unscrupulous Kenyan traders who go to China that opt for the cheap stuff.

We will import only what we cannot find locally, but golf estates dictate that we stick to high standards.

10. What’s your take on the capacity of Kenyan professionals?

They are growing, but the standard is still low, especially for high-end and engineering-heavy projects like these.

Delivering quality work within the stipulated time and budget requires that professionals build their capacity. Also, contractors and design professionals here are not so specialised.

The new development was received with much enthusiasm with the guest of honour Tourism minister Najib Balala very positive about the projct. Award winning gospel singer Emmy Kosgey was the guest performer.

Courtesy of: The Star
Link to News Article

Eldoret is set to boast of its own private sector driven ultra modern world class city, modeled around the concept of Tatu City and Thika Greens among others to be called the Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort. The new city boasts a 36 hole world class golf course, a five star hotel, game sanctuary and exclusive properties to sit on a 3,000 acre property hived off the Kruger Farm that previously grew maize in Moiben. The Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort was launched last night and is being hailed as the first ever project that will unlock the tourism potential of the rift valley region.

KCB and Co-operative banks have lined up special financing packages targeting investors in the Sh40 billion leisure and residential real estate project set to be built in Eldoret town in a race to tap expected returns from the development.

An artist’s impression of the Sh40 billion golf and recreation city to be built in Eldoret.

 

Banks allowed

Changes in the law have allowed banks to lend up to 40 per cent of their deposits to real estate, up from an earlier limit of 25 per cent.

Lending to the sector doubled to Sh95.9 billion in 12 months to October, according to a Central Bank report, indicating that relaxation of the loans limit could unlock funds that bankers were prohibited from loaning out.

The review to the Banking Act also allowed banks to lend up to 70 per cent of customer deposits to property developers with approval of the Central Bank of Kenya.

Real estate developers have become the fastest growing class of borrowers from commercial banks owing to a soaring demand for both residential and commercial property.

A report by CBK showed that the mortgage finance market in Kenya had more than tripled in value to Sh61 billion over a five-year period to May last year.

pwafula@ke.nationmedia.com

Link to News Article

Eldoret Town has attracted a Sh40 billion real estate project, making it the single largest investment by the private sector in Western Kenya and the latest in a growing list of multi-billion-shilling investments outside Nairobi.
The initiative to be known as Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort was unveiled by Tourism Minister Najib Balala, a signal that it is eyeing to tap into the expected demand for accommodation as the western circuit opens up to tourists.

The resort was launched at a colourful function in a Nairobi hotel attended by Tourism Minister Najib Balala, three Rift Valley MPs and Standard Group Deputy Chairman and Chief Strategist Paul Melly, among other dignitaries.

Balala lauded the initiative noting that it would diversify tourism from the traditional Masai Mara and Coast.

“This is a historic day. The idea is great and we must ensure it succeeds. Dubai is now the hub of the world because of such investments and Kenya has equal capability. These are the types of residential properties in most parts of South Africa. I believe it is the way to go. My ministry will offer every kind of support needed,” said Balala.

The chairman of Sergoit Holdings Limited Joshua Chepkwony said the plan of the project was to build prime residential, sports and business village located 15km north east of Eldoret town in four phases. It will feature more than 2,000 villas, three golf courses, a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, conference centre, private hospital, wildlife sanctuary, and an airstrip on a 3,100-acre piece of land.

Sports and tourism

Chepkwony, who is also the chairman of Jamii Telecoms, said the idea was born out of discussions with business-minded Kenyans from the region and is a hybrid of several ideas borrowed from South Africa, Nairobi’s Tatu City, Thika Greens and Kiambu’s Migaa.

“The project blends recreational, residential, sport and touristic features and represents a significantly upgrade of leisure and healthy lifestyle facilities in the Rift Valley. The most striking feature of the property is Sergoit Hill, a tree covered rocky ridge spanning 400 acres dominating the flat landscape,” said Chepkwony.

He added: “Views from the hill are awe inspiring on a clear day, with the scenic Mount Kenya to the East and the panoramic Mount Elgon to the west. To the south one can also see the rolling Nandi Hills and the expansive Cherengany Hills in the north.” The property is also expected to have a series of beautifully constructed luxury homes or villas, a retirement home and a five-star hotel.

“For the first time in Kenya, we will also bring you three world class golfing facilities that will act as focal points for the houses. The 9-hole golf course, the exclusive 18-hole PGA standard membership course and the 9-hole Active Retirement golf course would each have a well outfitted club house and sports shop,” he said.

By James Waindi,

Courtesy of: Standard Media Group

Link to the News Article

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 17 – A Sh40 billion real estate plan has been unveiled in Eldoret to help open up the Western Kenya circuit to potential tourists and sports enthusiasts.

Speaking during the launch, Tourism Minister Najib Balala said the development is a large infrastructure investment that will also help promote sports tourism in the country.

“We are now starting to diversify our products from the traditional products of the Maasai Mara and the Coastal region. We are now moving to the rest of the country and opening it up for further investments.”

“When we spread our development projects we are guaranteeing peace, stability and sustainability to our people. We are guaranteeing employment and entrepreneurial talents that are under utilized by Kenyans due to lack of resources,” Mr Balala said.

He reiterated the fact that Kenya has 11 world class golf courses and more should be done to aggressively market them to the domestic and international markets.

The venture, to be known as Sergoit Golf and Wildlife resort, is set to be completed by 2015.

Sergoit Board Chairman Joshua Chepkwony is optimistic that besides creating jobs, this project will help establish Eldoret town as a key feature of the country.

“The economic benefit that this project will bring to Eldoret cannot go un- mentioned. Not only will jobs be created during and after construction they will also be business opportunities opening up for numerous entrepreneurs, co-operates, institutions, micro-businesses, and farmers to meet the needs of the community.”

“This will no doubt elevate the status of Kenya’s 5th largest city and attract more investors into the region,” Chepkwony stated.

He further went onto add that the board was inspired by the twin legacies of sports and wildlife tourism. And that the Rift Valley is the land of world champions with a rich sporting tradition of athletic excellence.

The golf course will in addition, allow wildlife to roam freely. The resort will include a game sanctuary, Eco-touristic excursions to nearby Kerio Valley and the Nandi Hills Tea Estates as well Key economic drivers within Eldoret and its environs.

They are: academic community, farming, light manufacturing industry (dairy, milling, and textiles), services (banking, insurance, hospitality, aviation) and sports.

Before 1900 the 3,100 acres were used as communal grazing land once occupied by the Sirikwa and Uasin Gishu Maasai and Kalenjin communities.

Since that time it has progressed to sophisticated commercial farming and now boasts mixed-use development blending recreational, residential and tourist features

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Courtesy of: Capital FM – Business News

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The ambitious project, known as Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort, is hinged around the theme of luxury living, leisure and recreation in a design that partly mirrors Nairobi’s Tatu City development.

Tourism minister Najib Balala officially launched the mega real estate plan that will also feature a wildlife sanctuary, signaling the intention of its backers to make it a hub for visitors to the western tourist circuit.

The plan is to build the prime residential, sports and business village that is located 15 kilometres north east of Eldoret town in four phases. It will feature more than 2,000 villas, three golf courses, a five-star hotel, a shopping mall, conference centre, private hospital and an airstrip on a 3,100-acre piece of land.

“Our intention is to develop a concept that offers Rift Valley residents and Kenyans at large to own property in a secure, gated and well serviced environment,” said Mr Joshua Chepkwony, the chairman of Sergoit Holdings, the company behind the project. “The goal is to ultimately create a well planned, self-contained Satellite City of Eldoret.”

Sergoit Holdings Limited has set 2016 as the date for completion. Each phase will take a year to finish and will be purely financed by private investors.

“Each of the four phases will cost about Sh10 billion and we expect to finish the first phase in a year’s time,” said Mr Chepkwony. He said directors of the company were in talks with KCB and Cooperative banks to finance those seeking to invest in the property.

Mr Chepkwony, who is also the chairman of Jamii Telecoms, said the idea was born out of discussions with business-minded Kenyans from the region and is a hybrid of several ideas borrowed from South Africa, Nairobi’s Tatu City, Thika Greens and Kiambu’s Migaa.

“Our vision was further endorsed by Eldoret’s twin legacies of sports and wildlife tourism that should get a big boost from the development,” he said.

Like Tatu City, the company will put up an independent management company to build and manage physical infrastructure including roads, power, water, waste, drainage, fibre optic connection among others.

“The golf city will be co-owned by directors of Sergoit and private investors in the ratio of 52:48,” said Mr Chepkwony.

Private developers can buy plots at a price of between two and seven million Shillings and put up the structures as laid out in the master plan.

“All property within the golf city will be built according to four pre-approved house designs,” Mr Chekwony said. Shareholders will enjoy free membership to the golf club and access to the Club House.

Sergon Holdings Limited is owned by 20 shareholders including Mr Francis Kollum —the CEO designate, and Mr Jason Kapkirwok, a former director of group strategy at Kenya Airways.

The leisure and golf resort city will feature scenic nature and fitness trails, a view of game and scenery, rock climbing spots, athletic training tracks and a water splash. The game sanctuary will have giraffes, antelopes and birds.

The initial phase of the project will involve construction of 626 villas located near Sergoit Hill, a tree covered rocky outcrop with about 400 acres dominating the flat landscape.

“A track along the slopes of Sergoit hill will be developed into a high-altitude athletic training facility – in recognition to the contribution that Eldoret has made to the world athletic excellence,” Mr Chepwony said.

Inventors of the Sergoit real estate development are hoping to tap into the growing middle and upper income households in the region and the millionaire athletes around Eldoret.

Eldoret is the fifth largest city and one of the fastest growing with a population of about a quarter a million. It is strategically positioned to serve not only Kenya but the neighbouring countries of Uganda and South Sudan.

The Rift Valley town whose economy is hinged on large-scale agriculture is home to Moi University, Moi Referral Hospital, a KCC milk processor and banks among other major learning, business and recreation institutions.

Investors in the real estate plan will be required to enter into a 99-year lease agreement with Sergoit Holdings Limited and the price of each property includes shares in Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resorts.

An airstrip will be constructed during the second phase alongside an 18-hole golf course, and a golf estate with luxury villas on varying plot sizes which will be offered for sale after construction.

The 5-Star Hotel with modern amenities and services is part of the third phase plan. Retirement homes will be part of the last phase expected to be completed between 2015 and 2016.

The entire development will be designed with a ‘green’ theme, with emphasis on sustainability and harmony with nature.

Organic green gardens — spread round the property — will provide fresh vegetables and fruits to residents and visitors.

Besides relying on electricity from the national grid, Sergoit Golf & Wildlife Resort will supplement its power with wind power and solar energy.

This is the latest of the ongoing shift by real estate developers being pushed out of Nairobi by the high cost of land, adding a new dimension to Kenya’s property market growth as the developers move to smaller towns.

Latest market data indicates that there has been a marked upsurge in construction of new houses in Naivasha, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nakuru – a trend that is expected to ease demand for homes in Nairobi and help tame price inflation.

Other projects lined up outside Nairobi include a Sh1 billion investment into a 190 houses project by property firm Translakes Limited in Kisumu, expected to be completed by May 2012. Translakes is also eying Eldoret, Nakuru, and Mombasa with similar projects.

“There is demand for housing across these towns supported by the ever-growing rank of middle income earners in regional outposts such as Kisumu, Mombasa and Nakuru who are also competing against Kenyans abroad,” said Mr Daniel Ojijo, the executive chairman of Mentor Holdings and project managers of Translakes Estate.

Naivasha, the Rift Valley town that is located about 90 kilometres west of Nairobi has also attracted a Sh1.2 billion real estate investment for 342 three bed-roomed bungalows complete with a golf course.

By PAUL WAFULA
pwafula@ke.nationmedia.com
Courtesy of Nation Media
Article on Business Daily: 17/6/2011

The property is a sprawling ranch which also serves as a wildlife sanctuary and is home to the Rothschild’s Giraffe – one of a priority species in wildlife conservation. Other animals include antelopes, duikers and a large variety of birds. On a clear day, you can see Mt Kenya to the East and Mt Elgon to the North. To the west you can also see the undulating Nandi Hills and the expansive Cherangany Hills to the north.
The property is 15 kilometers north east of the city of Eldoret, 3 kilometers off the Eldoret – Item road towards Moiben (Coordinates: Latitude – 0° 34′ 60 N: Longitude-35° 1′ 0 E.). The Eldoret International Airport is only 20 minutes away.

The blend of recreational, residential and touristic features that Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resorts offers make it truly the Jewel of the Rift.