New Bill seeks to bar quacks from construction industry in Kenya

 Players in the building and construction industry must register with a new professional body before they can be allowed to practice in Kenya. The experts, who also include project managers, must register with the Association of Construction Managers of Kenya (ACMK) before they undertake any construction work in Kenya. ACMK says Construction Project Managers & Construction Managers Bill 2017 will deal with malpractices that have characterised the Kenyan real estate industry.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 11th September 2017

Work underway on Africa’s tallest skyscraper in Upperhill, Nairobi

 The mighty peaks of Kilimanjaro and Kenya are the highest points in Africa, towering over the East Coast nations.   The mountains will soon be sharing a skyline with a man-made behemoth named simply: “The Pinnacle.”   Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta recently laid the foundation stone for what will be the tallest building in Africa in the Upper Hill neighborhood of Nairobi. Construction is underway at the development site, and slated for completion by.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 11th September 2017

Mombasa-Nairobi expressway to be complete within six years

 Kenya's first high-speed expressway connecting the country's two largest cities will take six years to finish, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has said.   According to the State agency, design and construction of the 473-kilometre Mombasa-Nairobi road is set to begin after last week’s signing of a financing deal with US-based firm Bechtel International Inc.   “The project will be supported with financing from Export Credit Agencies (ECAs).... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 11th September 2017

Kenya awards major contract for construction of core infrastructure for smart city

 In early July the government contracted Italian construction firm ICM to build roads, water and sewerage systems for the $14.5bn smart city project, which is under way 60 km south of Nairobi.   The KSh40bn ($390m) deal covers engineering, procurement, construction and financing. Work has already begun on the sewer system and access road, as well as internet, power and water infrastructure, according to Victor Kyalo, principal secretary at the Ministry of.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 11th September 2017

Kenya National Inspectorate to improve building Safety Laws

 A number of building collapses have hit Kenya’s capital Nairobi in recent years, and Moses Nyakiongora, Secretary of the National Buildings Inspectorate (NBI), said the law will ensure stricter enforcement of building codes.   "The law is necessary because an audit of buildings in the country has revealed that up to 50 percent are not completely safe for human occupation," Nyakiongora told a media briefing.   The proposed regulation will provide for.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 11th September 2017

Solar roof tiles power Kenya’s rural classrooms

 Gaitheri Secondary School in central Kenya’s Murang'a County has had one of its iron-sheet roofs covered in solar generating tiles known as building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV).   Designed to be laid on roofs during construction, the tiles offer an alternative to adding solar panels on top to produce power.   They were made by Kenyan firm Strauss Energy and paid for with a grant from the United States African Development Foundation.   “They.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 11th September 2017

Energy utility announces end to power rationing

 Rwanda can now produce enough power to service all those who need it in Kigali, the Chief Executive of Rwanda Energy Group (REG), Jean Bosco Mugiraneza, has said.   Mugiraneza, who was addressing journalists in Kigali, yesterday, said besides being able to provide electricity to everyone who needs it, REG had embarked on different projects that will also purge general load shedding issues.   In Kigali, REG is, among others, building a sub-station at the Kigali.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 1st September 2017

Rwanda: Musanze Hydro Power Plant Project to Add 3.6 Megawatts on National Grid

 Construction of new Musanze hydropower plant which was launched on Wednesday is expected to add at least 3.6 megawatts to the national grid.   The plant is being constructed on Mukungwa River in Nkotsi Sector in two phases; Rwaza I to produce 2.6 megawatts, and Rwaza II, the second phase will start later along the same river to add one megawatt to the national grid, according to the officials.   Both phases are expected to cost $17 million, according to project.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 1st September 2017

Rwanda: PPP launches Musanze hydropower plant

 Last week, Rwanda’s infrastructure minister, James Musoni, witnessed the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Musanze hydropower plant.   The New Times reported that the hydropower plant is expected to add at least 3.6MW to the national electricity grid and will be developed in stages.   "This power plant might be small in size but we have no doubt that it will greatly contribute to our bold vision. This project could not have come at a more opportune.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 1st September 2017

Rwanda: Govt Pushes for Innovations, Efficiency to Meet Energy Targets

 The government is set to prioritise off-grid energy solutions such as solar energy and mini-power plants, reduce energy losses, as well as consider using natural gas instead of diesel in energy generating systems to ensure efficiency.   According to the Minister for Infrastructure, James Musoni, the development is in line with the country's target to generate 563 megawatts and enable 70 per cent of Rwandan households to access electricity by 2018.   Of these, 48.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 1st September 2017

Rwanda adds to energy mix with first peat-fired power plant in Africa

 Rwanda recently celebrated the opening of its first peat-fired power plant at Gishoma in the far west of the country, a $39.2M project. It is the first of its kind in Africa.  The Conversation   Another larger peat plant, costing $350M is under development in Gisagara to the east. The plan is for Gishoma to start feeding 15MW of electricity into the national grid imminently, and Gisagara 80MW by 2019.   The Rwandan government is hoping to achieve its goal of.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 1st September 2017

Green growth: Why tea processors should switch from wood fuel to gas

 Tea factories will be able to embrace gas in their production processes once the ongoing studies on alternative energy for domestic and commercial use is completed and implemented, a top government official has said.   While presenting a report on the status of the energy sector, its achievements and new plans to Parliament, Prime Minister Anastase Murekezi also said locally-made cooking gas stoves would soon come on the market after approvals by the standards watchdog..... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 1st September 2017