Nairobi — The architectural association of Kenya wants the government to establish a fully fledged metropolitan ministry that will oversee the planning and development of all towns in the country.

The association says the government Vision 2030 if realised would bring with it major urban development and therefore the creation of such a ministry will help in putting relevant structures for guiding the development of cities.

AAK National chairman Steven Oundo said it was in view of the anticipated need for proper control of urban development that there was a corresponding need to transform the current Nairobi Metropolitan Ministry to expand its mandate.

Citing the issue of traffic congestion which was mainly critical in Nairobi at first, Mr Oundo said the same was now witnessed in Mombasa and other major cities.

"Traffic congestion has now reached disastrous levels requiring immediate and drastic action to mitigate its effects. At least Sh24b is lost annually as a result of wasted fuel and when you include time as well as adverse effects on the environment and human health it could be as high as Sh60b.

"While we appreciate the efforts being undertaken by the ministry of Nairobi metropolitan and the city council of Nairobi to decongest the city, we are however concerned that such effort will not achieve much if the various arms of government are not harmonized," he said.

Mr Oundo was speaking at the Mombasa Sarova Whitesands resort during the AAK Annual Conference.

He said the city of Mombasa was fast heading into the same problems facing Nairobi adding that the issue of the connection to the South Coast through the Likoni channel had become a serious headache.

This, he said was hindering construction and development as the value of property continues to drop in the South Coast because of the constant stalling of ferries and traffic jams.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga in his speech read by an assistant minister Alfred Khangati said there was a need to post town planners in all local authorities in the country as well as preparing a document to establish fully-fledged technical planning departments.

"Also required is the preparation of town master plans that will also go a long way in addressing the architectural problems across the country. However, it will require ministries in which these issues cut across to work together to come up with comprehensive master plans through which the Ministry of Finance will be able to allocate financial budgets in the coming financial year," Mr Odinga said.