Konza Technopolis, the government's long-planned smart city along the Nairobi-Mombasa corridor, is being built around cycle lanes, an electric bus corridor and mandatory green space. Its managers say the aim is a "Silicon Savannah" that runs 24 hours a day.

Officials gave details of the 5,000-acre development during media tours reported this week by The Eastleigh Voice, Capital FM and TV47. They described a city where most daily services are within a 15-minute walk.

Built for bikes and electric buses

According to the Technopolis Development Authority, the city's internal road network covers more than 40 kilometres. It is designed for bicycles, e-bikes, electric vehicles and buses, with walkways, cycle lanes and a mass transit corridor set aside for electric buses.

"We are looking at using electric vehicles, electric bikes," said John Paul Okwiri, the authority's chief executive. He said alternative transport was part of the plan from the start.

The design is in line with the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill, 2024, sponsored by Naisula Lesuuda and passed by the National Assembly, according to The Eastleigh Voice. The bill would require road agencies such as KeNHA, KeRRA and KURA to include pavements, pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes on the roads they manage.

Green space and smart utilities

Developers may build on no more than 60% of their plots, with the rest kept for trees, landscaping and green areas. Public parks are also part of the master plan.

TV47 reports that the city's smart poles combine street lighting with CCTV cameras, Wi-Fi routers and emergency call buttons, all monitored from a central Intelligence Command Centre. Electricity, internet and water lines run underground.

Quantity surveyor Brian Mwaura said solid waste is moved through underground pipes by pneumatic suction to a central facility. Sensors detect full bins, and waste is separated into organic, plastic, paper and mixed streams. The city also has a wastewater reclamation plant.

Engineer Vincent Oyola said the first phase is served by a 66kV substation and 56 distribution cabins with enough power for current demand. "Once an investor buys a parcel, it is plug-and-play," he said.

A city that never sleeps

"We are building Africa's Silicon Savannah, so it means that we have to operate 24-7," Okwiri said.

The National Data Centre, which has Tier III certification, is already running. The Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is operating as a graduate research institution, and the Open University of Kenya and Riara University have a presence in the city. Okwiri said 10,000 housing units have been committed, with the first 1,000 due by November 2026.

Josephine Ndambuki, Konza's chief manager for business development and innovation, said the authority is promoting a drone corridor for uses including wildlife monitoring. She also said Konza is working with partners to train 10,000 women in artificial intelligence. "We want this city to be built by Kenyans," she said.

Officials admit that the next phase depends on bringing in private investors to turn the existing infrastructure into businesses, homes and jobs.

Photos: Capital FM; Technopolis Development Authority handout via The Eastleigh Voice. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.