Kenya has taken a decisive step toward reshaping its investment landscape by designating the Two Rivers International Finance and Innovation Centre (Trific) as a strategic national project. The new status means that Trific will no longer rely on the County Government of Nairobi for development approvals. Instead, it will work directly with the National Government through the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development.

For investors, this marks a pivotal turning point. The decision removes one of the major barriers to large-scale development – the slow and often unpredictable county approval processes. It introduces a new level of efficiency and accountability for projects with significant economic impact. Under this arrangement, all approvals for building works, master plan changes, lease renewals, and land use adjustments will now be issued directly by the Cabinet Secretary for Lands.

This move is expected to bring renewed energy to the 64-acre Two Rivers Special Economic Zone, which already hosts several international companies, including Teleperformance, Techno Brain, and Dalberg. The project, owned by Centum Investment Company Plc, is intended as a mixed-use business and innovation hub along the Nairobi-Limuru corridor. It currently offers 150,000 square feet of Grade A office space and aims to expand to over a million square metres in the coming years.

The government’s decision follows an inspection confirming that Trific qualifies as a project of strategic national importance under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act of 2019. This classification enables the national government to take direct control of developments with significant economic potential. In practice, it ensures that strategic projects like Trific can proceed without the delays and inconsistencies often seen in county-level processes.

Trific’s Chief Executive Officer, Brenda Mbathi, welcomed the decision, describing it as a major boost for investor confidence. She stated that the new framework ensures efficiency and predictability, which are vital for attracting international capital. This, she added, will lead to quicker project approvals and prompt delivery, providing investors with confidence and stability.

Beyond speeding up paperwork, the designation also improves Kenya’s reputation as an investment hub. The special zone provides a variety of incentives, including an exemption from stamp duty and a reduced tax rate of 10 per cent on domestic income for the first 10 years. These advantages aim to attract international businesses and financial institutions seeking a stable base in East Africa.

Analysts say the decision signals a shift in how Kenya plans to handle projects that have national economic significance. It reflects a growing awareness within government that cumbersome county processes can stall growth and discourage investment. By centralising approval for strategic developments, the state hopes to create a more reliable environment for investors and developers.

The benefits are not just administrative. Faster approvals mean quicker construction timelines, job creation and an earlier return on investment. For Centum, which has positioned Trific as part of its long-term real estate and infrastructure portfolio, this move is expected to unlock additional expansion and financing opportunities. The company also plans to launch a dollar-denominated Real Estate Investment Trust, with the Trific North Tower set to be its first major acquisition.

Urban development experts believe this model could become a template for other large-scale projects across the country. It blends efficiency with accountability, aligning Kenya’s investment environment with international standards while ensuring oversight remains at the highest level of government.

The designation of Trific as a national strategic project is more than a policy adjustment. It reflects Kenya’s growing determination to attract global investors, reduce administrative friction and position itself as a competitive financial and innovation hub for the region.

If successfully implemented, this approach could reshape how major developments are managed in Kenya, providing a clear signal that the country is ready to match its economic ambitions with effective, investor-friendly policy execution.