A road in Masii town, Machakos. The town does not have a sewerage system despite of its rapid growth.
Once a sleepy rural trading centre, Masii town is steadily transforming into one of the fastest-growing commercial hubs in Machakos County.
But even as its skyline rises and businesses multiply, the town’s rapid expansion is exposing glaring gaps in sanitation and urban planning.
Located along the busy Machakos–Kitui road, Masii is undergoing a quiet but unmistakable economic shift driven by trade, education, improved road infrastructure and expanding financial services. Beneath this growth, however, lies a troubling reality of unplanned development, marked by inadequate sewerage systems and mounting public health risks.
Strategically positioned between Machakos town and the neighbouring counties of Kitui and Makueni, Masii has long served as a modest market centre where farmers from surrounding villages sold produce and bought basic household goods.
A section of Masii town in Machakos County.
Today, it is evolving into a bustling commercial hub drawing traders, investors and travellers from far beyond its traditional reach.
Its location along a key transport corridor has been central to this transformation. Vehicles heading to Kitui, Mbooni and Tawa frequently stop in Masii for fuel, refreshments and supplies, turning the town into a vibrant stopover.
“Almost every vehicle heading toward Kitui, Mbooni or Tawa stops here. Passengers take tea, buy snacks or change vehicles. That business supports many people in the town,” says Kioko Kisoi, a matatu driver operating along the Machakos–Masii route.
This constant flow of people has fuelled growth in roadside hotels, kiosks and retail shops, injecting life into what was once a quiet outpost.
Population growth has further accelerated the town’s expansion. Thousands now live within the growing urban centre while many more in surrounding villages depend on it for trade, education and essential services. With this has come rising demand for housing, retail space and social amenities.
Multi-storey buildings, rental apartments and modern shops are gradually replacing the old brick and mud structures that once defined Masii.
“Masii has grown very fast in the last ten years. New buildings are coming up, businesses are increasing, and more people are moving here to trade or work,” says shop owner Peter Mutinda.
Open drainage
Yet, this rapid transformation has far outpaced infrastructure development. Most notably, the lack of a proper sewerage system has left many plot owners relying on open drainage or makeshift waste disposal methods raising serious hygiene and environmental concerns.
Residents warn that parts of the town are fast becoming potential health hazards.
Education institutions have also played a pivotal role in shaping Masii’s growth. Schools such as Masii Boys High School and AIC Masii Girls High School attract students from across the region, while private academies and training institutions are expanding access to education and technical skills.
“Students come here from neighbouring areas and even other counties. That movement of people contributes to the town’s economic growth,” says retired teacher John Nzuki.
The expansion of financial services is another clear indicator of Masii’s rising fortunes. Banks and microfinance institutions have set up shop to serve traders, farmers and salaried workers, bringing services closer to the people.
“Before banks came here, we had to travel to Machakos town to deposit money or take loans. Now everything is available here,” says vegetable trader Mary Ndinda.
Agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy. Farmers supply maize, beans, green grams, fruits and vegetables to the bustling open-air markets while livestock traders bring goats and cattle. On market days, Masii transforms into a hive of activit drawing crowds from Mwala and beyond.
For many young people, these opportunities offer an alternative to migrating to larger towns in search of work.
The economic momentum has also triggered a construction boom. Developers are putting up rental houses, hostels and commercial buildings to meet growing demand. Land prices have surged, with a 50-by-100 plot that 1O years agoe sold for between Sh550,000 and Sh600,000 now fetching up to Sh2 million.
Hardware stores, pharmacies, supermarkets and electronics shops line the main road, reflecting growing investor confidence. Some investors have come from as far as Nairobi and Mandera, attracted by the town’s stability and rising population.
“The population growth and stability here have made it an attractive place for investment,” says investor Mohammed Dagane.
Residents say Masii is steadily shedding its image as a rural outpost and taking on the character of a small urban centre. Yet, significant challenges remain.
Key among them are the lack of a modern market, inadequate public transport infrastructure such as a proper bus station, water shortages and limited healthcare facilities. These gaps threaten to undermine the town’s long-term sustainability if left unaddressed.
For longtime residents, the transformation is both remarkable and bittersweet.
“I have seen this town grow from a small trading centre in the late ’70s to what it is today. It started as a livestock market, then a few mud shops, and now it has modern buildings,” says Mutinda. “The tarmac road to Kitui and Tawa in the early 1980s triggered this growth. Trade followed, and Masii has never looked back.”
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