The World Bank has given stringent conditions to towns within the Nairobi Metropolis wishing to benefit from the $60 million (Sh5 billion) upgrading fund. The team leader of the bank's delegation Andreas Rohde yesterday said they need a resolution from the Kikuyu Town Council and the Limuru Municipal Council on what they intend to do with the funding. The bank also needs a list of proposed projects in order of priority. The delegation was on a tour of Kikuyu and Limuru towns, which will receive $4.2 million each.

The bank needs to see each town's strategic plan, budget and well thought out resolutions of commitment. They also require sustainable projects for funding, available land for projects and citizen participation in the choice of projects and in their implementation. "We have given every council the Project Appraisal Document which they must read carefully to ensure the projects undertaken are in congruence with the World Bank's requirements," Rohde said.

The bank leaders said they would send a written model of 'how to upgrade a town', which they have used successfully in other towns as guide to the towns. Rohde was accompanied by the Metropolitan Development Secretary Eng John N. Maina. Maina asked leaders of the two towns to establish projects which are in harmony with the formation of county governments. "We are working on 13 urban centers out of 18 in the metropolis which must follow the constitution to avoid future tags of war for projects when the devolved structure of government is fully in place," said Maina.

The Chairman of the Kikuyu Town Council, Charles Arahuka, took the bank's delegation for a tour of the town where they were shown the proposed locations for different projects like the construction of a modern railway station, car/bus park, stadium and fire station. Limuru Mayor Samuel Mwangi and Town Clerk Francis Ndirangu said they would prioritise the construction of a proper sewerage system, a sports stadium and modernized waste disposal site. Kikuyu is a debt free town operating on a surplus in their budget because of high local revenue collection. The council holds the award of the Best Performing Town Council in Kenya.