Kenya is increasingly establishing itself as a hub for business and logistics in East Africa. About 20 km northeast of Nairobi’s city centre—roughly a 35–40-minute drive—lies Tatu City, a large-scale urban development that is rapidly expanding. We visited Rendeavour, the company managing this project, to learn more about its progress and appeal.

1. What is Rendeavour / Tatu City? — Africa’s Largest Private Urban Developer

Rendeavour is Africa’s largest private developer, operating in six countries (Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, DRC, Zambia) with over 120 km² of land across eight new cities. Tatu City itself covers about 20 km², developed on land that was originally a coffee plantation. Coffee production continues today, making it Kenya’s largest producer, accounting for about 15% of the country’s output.

2. The Vision of Tatu City: A City for 250,000 People

Scale and Design Tatu City plans to host 250,000 residents and another 250,000 workers commuting from outside. It is well connected—35–40 minutes from Nairobi’s centre and airport, with multiple links to major highways. The city integrates industrial, commercial, and residential zones, with infrastructure and services privately managed, ensuring high autonomy.

Sponsor Representative Speech

One of our employees, Sharon Kinyanjui, also presented a speech as a representative of the sponsors, making it known to everyone that even she had once participated in the same speech contest and got position 2. At this the audience applauded greatly.

Development Status: As of February 2026, about 6,000 people live there and 35,000 work there. Core infrastructure—electricity, water, communications—is already in place and privately operated. Compared to Nairobi’s congestion and infrastructure challenges, Tatu City offers a stable, well-managed business environment.

Sponsor Representative Speech

• Power: Own substation with 99.7% reliability; solar panels installed on available rooftops.
• Water: Multiple sources (treatment plants, public supply, reservoirs) ensuring stable supply suitable for industrial use.
• Communications: Independent fibre networks for reliable connectivity.

This self-sufficient infrastructure makes Tatu City highly attractive for businesses requiring stable operations.

3. Kenya’s Leading Special Economic Zone (SEZ)

Tatu City is designated as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) by the Kenyan government, offering major tax incentives:

• Corporate tax: 10% (first 10 years), then 15% (next 10 years) vs. normal 30%
• VAT: 0% vs. normal 16%
• Capital gains tax: 0% vs. normal 15%
• Import duties: 0% vs. normal 30%
• Stamp duty: 0% vs. normal 4%

Its industrial and commercial zones already host numerous multinational companies, with plans for over 100 firms to establish offices.

4. Tatu City as a Place to Live

Tatu City is also growing as a residential hub, offering diverse housing: apartments, mid-range homes, gated communities, and luxury villas. It hosts two private international schools with capacity for over 3,000 students, and a new Wellington College (UK’s top school) is under construction. Hotels, supermarkets, clinics, and other essentials are also available, enabling residents to live entirely within the city.

Safety is prioritised: speed limits of 40 km/h have prevented accidents, while 250 security staff, 20-armed police, 20 ex-special forces, and 5 patrol vehicles ensure a secure environment.

Conclusion

Visiting Tatu City revealed a scale and level of completion far beyond expectations. For businesses expanding in Kenya, Tatu City offers a compelling option with its comfortable business and living environment. If you visit Nairobi, experiencing Tatu City’s potential firsthand is highly recommended.