Nairobi, Feb. 2 -- Just pulled off the Thika Superhighway en route to Thika. I am standing opposite what used to be Castle Breweries and looking west.

High-rise residential units have lately mushroomed here. A look east brings into view upcoming structures, some business, others residential.

Ahead of me lies the elevated traffic exchange that I once marvelled at while studying at Mangu High School, which is a short distance behind where I stand.

A drive west from the traffic exchange takes you through Kinale Forest to Flyover Market, linking with the transport corridor from Nairobi to western Kenya into Uganda.

A drive northwards traverses the Mt Kenya region, through Isiolo, Marsabit and Moyale, into Ethiopia. A drive east leads to G...