NAIROBI, Kenya Feb 27 – The Senate Roads, Transportation, and Housing Committee has directed the Nairobi County Government to suspend any contractual agreements related to the Urban Regeneration Renewal Plan for the next three months.
This decision aims to allow for comprehensive public participation in the process.
The directive came during a session where the committee was addressing a petition submitted by residents from 13 estates in Nairobi affected by the Urban Renewal Program.
Committee Chair Karungo Thangwa emphasized the need for inclusive public engagement, particularly regarding the concerns raised by long-standing tenants facing possible displacement due to the renewal program.
“The residents of these thirteen estates feel they have been left uninformed. The governor should halt all construction activities until the affected individuals understand the details of the plan, including what they stand to gain and their contributions,” ruled Thangwa.
While the Urban Regeneration Renewal Plan aims to rejuvenate aging estates and address housing challenges in the county, Thangwa criticized the county government for proceeding with contractual agreements without sufficient involvement of the public.
During the committee session, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja disclosed that his administration had already engaged seven contractors to initiate redevelopment projects in seven estates.
These estates include Woodley (3,400 units), Jericho (6,000 units), Ziwani (2,500 units), Maringo (4,000 units), Bahati (9,000 units), Lumumba (4,000 units), and Kariobangi North (2,000 units).
Governor Sakaja assured the committee that no evictions would occur until the concerns were addressed, citing ongoing legal processes and contractual obligations with timelines.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna proposed that contractual agreements for the remaining six estates proceed only after a Memorandum of Understanding is signed between the county government and the residents. He stressed the importance of ensuring that such agreements align with the residents’ wishes to prevent future disputes.
The Nairobi County Government identified 13 estates for the urban renewal program based on the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN), focusing on redevelopment in Eastlands.
A major point of contention between the county government and estate tenants revolves around property ownership.
While residents claim ownership based on agreements with the defunct Nairobi City Council, Governor Sakaja asserted that the land belonged to the Nairobi County Government, although he was unable to provide concrete evidence during the committee session.
The Nairobi Governor was given one month to furnish the committee with records of rent payments collected from the 13 estates and contractual agreements with the seven contractors involved in the Urban Renewal Program.
