Ronald Mwangombe of Ndara B Community was part of the Ndara B Community members who welcomed what is today the ongoing Diaspora University Town (DUT) and Diaspora University development in Taita Taveta.
Ronald who is one of the Trustees answered questions on Ndara B Community and DUT saying, “We looked at the benefits of the plan and realized that by becoming founders we could achieve more for ourselves and future generations.”
Questions and Answers
How did the Ndara B Community become founders of Diaspora University & Diaspora University Town?
Ndara B Community became founders of a University and Town when the Community allocated land toward the Institution Town Development Plan established by Diaspora Kenyans for developing a university and a town.
When the plan that was approved by Taita Taveta County Assembly in accordance with Kenya Constitution 185 (4) was brought to us, we had the option of either selling our land or donating the land to create a Trust and becoming founders of the university.
We looked at the benefits and realized we could achieve more for ourselves and future generations by becoming founders.
What are the benefits of the DUT plan to the Ndara B Community?
The eight main benefits of the DUT plan to community members are as follows:
1. Jobs. Our members and their future generations will have jobs. Through a job one is able to work and get income to meet his/her needs and family needs.
2. Industries. The DUT plan has today enabled Ndara B Community to allocate about 500 acres to start 15 industries for producing building materials to supply DUT. The current plan is to supply DUT materials of about Ksh 15 billion. We also are working to become the biggest suppliers of manufactured building materials in Kenya as we build houses and eradicate slums and pollution all over Kenya.
3. Food Production Plan. The DUT plan has enabled Ndara B Community to create farming plans for food production. The community is in the process of starting 14 farming businesses that are allocated about 3,000 acres. Through the businesses the community will become a supplier of food to DUT town and Kenya.
4. Water Plan. The DUT Plan has enabled the community jointly with DUT to come up with a water plan of boreholes and a reservoir dam. The plan goal is to achieve 5 million litres of daily water supply. This will achieve the right of clean water for those living at DUT town and settlements where Ndara B members live.
5. University Education. Our community in 2024 had about 10,000 persons. 3,000 adults and 7,000 children. The Diaspora University plan that is the main plan of DUT has challenged us to think ahead. We are working on plans that will lead to about 70% of the 7,000 growing children of Ndara Community joining Diaspora University or other universities.
6. Hospital. The DUT plan has a level 5/6 hospital development. This hospital that Diaspora Kenyans are working on a Medical Plan will meet our healthcare and medical needs.
7. Good Housing. The DUT plan has 6,700 units of housing. As the units are completed our members who have taken some of the 20,000 jobs will become townhouses and apartments owners and live in good housing.
8. Clean and Healthy Environment. The DUT plan of 3,778 plots, about 4,000 erected buildings and 60km roads and infrastructure will have a town with no dust pollution, wastewater pollution, waste management, storm water management and other environmental issues in accordance with the Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA).
Where are you in achieving the DUT Plan and Ndara B plans?
The DUT and Ndara B plans for creating 20,000 jobs are ready. The plans will open Diaspora University, build houses, produce building materials and other products or services. We are currently working on the money plan.
The project creates an opportunity for a bank to lend about Ksh 50 billion in the next 5 years through diverse bank products. We have identified KMRC products that can finance about Ksh 35 billion of the 3,500 townhouses and 3,200 apartments in the DUT Plan.
What is KMRC?
KMRC stands for Kenya Mortgage Refinance Company (KMRC). As written in their website the company is owned 25% by the Treasury, Government of Kenya and 75% by International Finance Corporation (IFC), Shelter Afrique, eight (8) Kenya Commercial banks, eleven (11) SACCOs, and one (1) Microfinance Bank.
The Ksh 35 billion we are looking at, will finance 6,700 individuals as they take up 3,500 town houses and 3,200 apartments at DUT. The KMRC offer in their website is as follows: “KMRC offers two categories of bulk loans to PMLs: Affordable Home Loans: These loans are up to KES 10.5 million extended to borrowers to buy ready houses, build if they already own land or buy land and build a house.”
KMRC in 2023 closed with Ksh 11 billion in cash and about Ksh 20 billion in untapped credit lines. We are looking for one of the Primary Mortgage Lenders banks to work with us so that we can achieve the building of 6,700 townhouses and apartments to be financed by KMRC money.
