Japan offers technical support to Nairobi’s Development Plan

By George Owiti 

The Government of Japan, through Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) has engaged technical experts to assist Nairobi County Government in developing a model development strategic plan.

Nairobi County Head of Master Plan Secretariat Ruth Moroki says the plan dabbed, “The Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN)” is intended to enhance the County’s development and offer permanent solutions to problems and challenges faced by the residents.

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She explains that JICA has contracted 19 experts to work on the document addressing various key thematic areas which include; land usage, transport, solid wastes disposal, environmental conservation, security, education and management.

"The plan will be more integrated and comprehensive to offer best solutions and development strategies to projects desired and proposed by the Nairobi residents,”  says Moroki.

The official says the defunct City Council of Nairobi, had been operating on a master plan done in 1973 which expired in the year 2000.

The city has since then been implementing its projects based on the Nairobi Metropolitan Growth Strategy, a piece-meal development plan which Moroki says could not offer viable solutions to problems facing the rapidly increasing number of people living in the city. 

A study conducted by JICA in the year 2009 showed that the Nairobi’s population has been gradually increasing over the years standing at 3.1 million in 2009. Subsequent projections put the population at 3.6 million in 2013 and are expected to rise to 4.2 million in 2018, 4.7 million in 2023 and eventually to 5.2 million in the year 2030.

"I am sure that the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan will be the best compared to all those the other 46 counties shall have generated." Moroki said in a media interview. 

The plan’s development began in the year 2012 with a Strategic Environmental Assessment and will come to a close in June this year.

According to Moroki, most of the City Council’s project then had not been successful because it did not engage members of the public at initial stages of projects’ design.

"This process is already a success and I am sure this time round members of the public will own the master plan in its entirety." says Moroki.

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This she attributes to the fact that the Nairobi County Government has conducted sensitization meetings in all its sub-counties and wards to share ideas and collect views of the residents on development plans and how they want the county to look, 'The Nairobi County We Want.'

Currently, the Nairobi County Government is conducting a final three weeks civic education to ensure that as many city residents as possible are reached and their contributions put into consideration.

Moroki says they have consulted a few countries and counties in their neighborhood and shall consider their credible contributions and best practices.

She adds that once the plan is ready, the Nairobi County Government will ensure its full implementation as it embarks in offering consultancy services to other counties on the same.