Thomson Falls’ changing fortunes

Thomson Falls is becoming the centre of focus as investors sink in money in the neighbourhood.

Hidden by a thicket of shrubs off Nyahururu–Nyeri road, this is one of the largest water falls in Kenya. It was named after European missionary Joseph Thomson back after he came across it in 1883.

Down the line over one hundred years the falls have become the centre of attraction as investors put up more than ten hotels in the vicinity.

Panari Hotel, one of the new entrants in the area around Thomson Falls in Nyahururu. Hotels springing up to take advantage of the scenic attraction are changing the face, and fortunes, of the area. (PHOTO: BONIFACE THUKU/ STANDARD)

Some of the leading hotels and lodges located near the falls that include Thomson Falls Lodge, Hippo Pot and Waterfalls.

Patrick Marekia, the managing director for Panari Hotel - the latest entrant - says they were attracted to the area due to shortage of world-class establishments in the region.

“We decided to settle at Thomson Falls as it is one of the largest attraction sites for both local and foreign tourist who are passing by Aberdare, Samburu, Mt Kenya and ranches within Laikipia and in Lake Olbolosat in Nyandarua,” he says.

Benefit

The communities living around the falls also will benefit as more tourists will be visiting the sites, creating increased business opportunities.

John Mwaura who has been taking photos in the area for the last twenty years says he has already noticed changes since big hotels started coming up in the last two years.

“The entrance of the new hotels here is a blessing to us; we earn a lot nowadays from both local and international tourists who usually visit the hotels,” he says.

Daniel Munjuga, a trader in artefacts at Thomson Falls, admits that since the hotels stated investing in the area says his style of living has changed as he concentrates more on artefacts which he sells to tourists.

At the southern tip, Thomson falls borders Marmanet Forest, which is a corridor for elephants and at hippos call home the northern part where Ewaso Ng’iro River drains its water into Thomson Falls.

Joseph Mwangi, a surveyor in Nyahururu town says land prices in the area have shot up. He says that in 2012, a piece of land measuring 50 by 100feet was going for Sh80,000. This has gone up to Sh1.2 million today.

“I have subdivided plots within that place (around Thomson Falls) and it used to go for as little as S80,000, today if you don’t have over Sh1 million you will not get any land there,” he says.