How village market grew to dwarf Meru town

Makutano town in Meru County has woken up from its slumber as traders scramble for space in their bid to increase their income. It is this town along the Meru-Nanyuki highway, that was a beaten old market, with dusty tracks and small shops punctuating its desolation, 10 years ago.

Though Meru town is the headquarters of Meru County, Makutano today hosts more than 20 reputable financial institutions which include major commercial banks, and hosts Governor Kiraitu Murungi and County Commissioner’s offices. Its growth has seen major business and entertainment joints bring life to the area with some of them operating for 24 hours.

Wycliffe Muthomi, an artiste, marvels at how fast Makutano has grown. As investments in Meru town grew, space for expansion in the town became scarce or unaffordable, and interest shifted to Makutano.

"Major clubs which sat on prime land were forced to either change location or close, to give way to new investments, including office blocks," he says.

Makutano, being close by, was the preferred choice for investors, seeing as there were readily available properties for occupation and land for sale.

“Makutano has had the advantage of hosting the best clubs in Meru, and that has contributed to the vibrancy of the area as an entertainment hotspot. This, however, was not the case over two decades or so ago,” said Muthomi.

He said Pig & Whistle was the place to be, having been established during colonial times.

It was the pioneer location for the Nouveau riche and the growing middle class that included teachers, and coffee and tea farmers were the cool people who patronized the place, including the Continental Hotel.

But as more clubs came up at Makutano, those who love their drink, day or night, ran to Makutano.

“And just like that Makutano was no longer a market but a thriving business hub. Banks, hotels, and other facilities came up,” said Moses Mutwiri, a businessman.

Some of the hotels and entertainment spots at Makutano include Elsa, Westwind, Checkmate, Club 604 Bar and Grill, and Simba Wells.

Muthomi, a member of the Ameru Crew, one of the fast-rising musical groups, said: “Meru town has grown into this ''mature" kind of business center with no major investments being made in club space. That and also there being fewer students living in the town are due to costs, fewer residential areas, the area is also a 'girls Sahara, so people tend to also go where the party is lit! And of course, any artist worth his or her salt will go look to perform where the people are more likely to tip, appreciate and also give them more mileage.”

Other add-ons at Makutano include a Koinange Street type of arrangement, 24-hour miraa chewing bases, and Kinoru Stadium, which has in the past hosted major sporting and national events.

Perhaps in recognition of Makutano’s potential as a trading hub, governor Kiraitu has started an upgrade program, including carbo-paving large sections. Major education institutions such as Kenya Methodist University, Meru National Polytechnic, Meru Teachers College, and others have also set base at Makutano.