Bernard Namunane
21 May 2008
Nairobi — A plan to transform the City of Nairobi into a metropolis makes radical proposals on its expansion, transport and rate collection.
The new Ministry of Nairobi Metropolitan Development has come up with a blueprint that proposes to bring 13 local authorities under one jurisdiction.
A copy of the draft, titled: "Nairobi Metro 2030: A Vision for world class metropolis, first and foremost in Africa", also seeks to address the transport crisis in the city, establish a metropolitan police force, impose strict restrictions on land use and improve service delivery.
The plan is based on the thinking that for Vision 2030 to succeed, the country must develop Nairobi's status to that of other cities such as Cairo (Egypt), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Johannesburg (South Africa) and Lagos (Nigeria).
Public Policy
Nairobi Metropolitan minister Mutula Kilonzo said the plan was prepared in conjunction with the Kenya Institute of Public Policy and Research (Kippra."
It creates the Nairobi Metropolitan Region that ropes in 12 other local authorities, establishes a Nairobi Metropolitan Authority that will implement the plan and the Metropolitan Local Authorities, an umbrella body of the councils. The proposed metropolis region will cover areas in a radius of 40 kilometres and will include Thika, Machakos and Mavoko municipal councils. Others will be Kiambu, Ruiru, Karuri, Tala/Kangundo, Kikuyu and Ol Kejuado.
This means that should the Cabinet approve the plan dubbed Nairobi Metro 2030, residents of Kiserian, Athi River, Kitengela, Kangundo, Tala, Kyanzavi, Juja, Thika, Kilimambogo, Ruiru, Ngong, Kikuyu, Uthiru, Limuru and Oloololtikosh would be under the metropolis.
Kippra experts submitted that a peri-urban ring covering 3,000 square kilometres has been created that entirely depends on Nairobi for employment and social facilities.
The affected districts are Murang'a, Thika, Kiambu, Machakos and Kajiado. "It has thus become difficult to separate Nairobi City from this wider region, now referred to us the Metro Region," states the plan.
Mr Kilonzo allayed fears that the decision to bring the 12 local authorities under one jurisdiction could increase land prices, rates and house rents.
"The local councils forming the Nairobi Metropolitan Region will have their own rating procedures. We are developing a policy guideline that will set rates to be charged by local authorities. You cannot expect Kangundo residents to pay the same rates as those in Nairobi," he said.
On transport, the plan seeks to introduce buses that carry more passengers to the city centre and the phasing out of 14-seater matatus to ease congestion.
The plan suggests conversion of main roundabouts leading into the city centre into orthogon junctions where traffic flows faster under the guidance of signals.
Among those targeted are the Globe Cinema roundabout and that at Landhies Road/Haile Selassie Avenue. The city centre will be declared a restricted zone to PSV, private, freight vehicles and hand carts. Those who drive into the restricted areas will pay penalty fees.
Car parks managed by the metropolis will be established outside the CBD from where workers will walk to their offices.
Railway Station and Globe Cinema roundabout are among the earmarked points where motorists will be charged more.
The plan proposes the creation of a metropolitan police unit linked to the Kenya Police.
More estates
The plan further seeks to expand and improve solid waste management and sewerage services, increase water supply, light up more estates and guide the development of information and technology services.
In particular, it proposes to establish more dumping sites away from the city other than the one in Dandora estate.
It draws from earlier blueprints on development of the city such as the Nairobi Metropolitan Growth Strategy of 1973, which was picked up by Malaysia to transform Kuala Lumpur into a metropolis.
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"..for Vision 2030 to succeed, the country must develop Nairobi's status to that of other cities .."
Expansion of Nairobi? Is that what Kibaki and Kenyatta want? Is that the reason that ODM had to be kept out of control of critical ministries? The GEMA control most of the retail, small business in and around Nairobi. And they have ways of keeping it so. The GEMA owe their prosperity and prolific population growth on the benefits they enjoy from the presence of Nairobi in their heartland. And the control of Kenya's revenue oils their sense of entitlement to… [Read Full Text]
Will the metropolitan plan take another 35 yrs to be pulled from the shelves if its blue print was developed in 1973 but benefited Malaysia instead?