MINISTRY OF LANDS, PUBLIC WORKS, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
State Department for Housing and Urban Development
NATIONAL SPATIAL PLANNING AND METROPOLITAN DEVELOPMENTFOR BALANCED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN KENYA
A presentation made during the 6th Spatial Planning Platform Conference inBalikpapan, Indonesia

By: Ann Mary Muthoni Mugo
Director, Metropolitan Development
KENYA

Kenya at a Glance• Kenya is a country located in Eastern part of Africa,
bordered by South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia to the north,Uganda to the west, Tanzania to the South and IndianOcean to the east•It is a diverse country that offers a variety of landscapesand cultures• Kenya is known for its wildlife and safaris, its whitebeaches, and its vibrant cities – Nairobi the NationalCapital, Mombasa at the Coast, Kisumu the Lake City,
Nakuru and Eldoret cities in the Rift Valley• Area: 592.000 km²• Population of 50,951,450 : 14.8million spread acrossurban With a total population of 54 million, it means that
31.2%, caused by rural-urban migration and natural
population increase resulting pressure on existing
infrastructure resulting into challenges such asenvironmental threats, diminishing resources, inequality,poor governance, urban informality and rise in poverty
levels.

• The capital City is Nairobi with a population 4.4 million
inhabitant firming the core of Nairobi Metropolitan
Region• The climate in Kenya is characterized by dry and wet
seasons-The temperatures are pleasant throughout, buttemperatures in the highlands are usually cooler than on
the coast.
• The coastal region is always warm and humid. On average
the temperature lies around 35°C /95°F during the day.
• Governed by a devolved system og Government: NationalGovernment and 47 County Governments.

Kenya’s National Spatial Plan
• The National Spatial Plan (NSP) is a national spatial vision that guides
the long term spatial development of the Kenya.
• The Plan is a flagship project identified under Kenya Vision 2030 as
one of the foundations for socioeconomic transformation.
• It aims at achieving an organized, integrated, sustainable andbalanced development of the country.

The National Spatial Plan for Kenya, 2015-2045• It is a Kenya Vision 2030 flagship projectaiming at distributing the population andactivities on the national space to sustainablesocio-economic development• The National Spatial Plan (NSP) facilitates theimplementation of national flagship projects
by indicating their spatial locations andproviding a framework for absorbing thedevelopment and impacts of related projects• It provides a coordinating framework for
sectorial planning and seeks to address thedisconnect between physical and economicplanning• It envisages to transform the country into a
globally competitive and prosperous nation,offering a high quality of life for all citizens in aclean and secure environment for the next
thirty (30) years as envisioned by Vision 2030

Provision of Appropriate Infrastructure• The NSP supports thedevelopment of a firmly
interconnected, efficient,reliable, adequate,accessible, safe, sustainable
and environmentally friendly
systems of infrastructure ofhigh quality throughidentifies areas with energy
generation potential andestablishing distribution
routes• Vision 2030 envisions a
country firmly serviced
through a network of water,energy, ICT, health,education, sanitation
facilities, andtelecommunications.

LAPSSET Corridor• LAPSSET Corridor Project is the firstlargest game changer Infrastructure
Project the government has initiatedand prepared under Vision 2030
Strategy Framework,• Foster transport linkage between
Kenya, South Sudan and Ethiopia• Dynamic promotion of regionalsocio-economic development along
the transport corridor especially in
the Northern, Eastern, North-Eastern
and Coastal parts of Kenya• Northern Corridor is currently
Kenya's only economic corridor;• The LaPSSET corridor projects will
ensure about three quarters of thecountry is open to high valeinvestments.
• They will expand the revenue baseand transform Kenyan economy• Construction of the Lamu Port will
open trade opportunities in SEZs andtransport and logistics businessDevelopment of critical infrastructure

Status and impacts• Port Headquarters at Lamu is completed• Electricity is connected to the national grid
• Water supply has been connected to the port
• Roads constructions at various stages• Increased accessibility to markets• Increased participation in locals investments along the corridor• Direct employment• Increased tourism• Stabilization of security amon communities

Integrating the National Transportation Network• Kenya has numerous Transport
Agencies: KeNHA, KURA, KERRA,KAA,KPA, KRC, NaMATA, LAPSSET
Development Authority, County
Governments• Is an integrated national and urban
transport system that seeks to maximize
efficiency and sustainability of thetransport sector• It identifies the major national
infrastructure routes and proposes newones to fill the missing links andenhance connectivity

Rail Infrastructure
SGR Passenger Train

SGR –Cargo Train

Road Infrastructure

NairobiExpressway

Thika Superhighway

Section –Southern bypass Interchange

Port
Mombasa Port

Nairobi Inland Container Deport

Kisumu Port

Economic Activities :AgricultureEconomic Activities- TourismPotential &Emerging Growth Centers

Metropolitan Development in Kenya• Cities in Kenya, including the major cities of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu,
Nakuru and Eldoret are becoming increasingly economicallyinterdependent with their surrounding settlements and rural areas,
hence metropolisation of urban development.
• The Kenya Vision 2030 identified six metropolitan regions across thecountry :Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu-Kakamega,Nakuru-Eldoret, WajirGarissa-Mandera; and Kitui-Mwingi-Meru.
• Metropolitan Development principles can be used to develop regional
infrastructure systems for supporting livelihoods and regional economic
growth and development in the country.
• Despite its potential to achieve regional balanced development.
metropolitan development is at its infancy in Kenya and lacks policy
guidelines for delineation, planning, governance and financing regional
infrastructure and services.

The Nairobi Metro Region“A World Class African Metropolis”

Nairobi Metropolitan Region (NMR)
NMR covers 34,000Km2
It covers 5 counties;
Nairobi City
KiambuKajiado
MachakosMuranga
The Plan for the metro region provides detailed
recommendations on planning issues withrespect to housing, land use management,transport and infrastructure
The Plan was preparedThe Nairobi Railway City Plan
• To guide the redevelopment of the Nairobi Central
Railway Station and its surrounding areas into an
Iconic, Multi-Modal, Transit Oriented, and Urban
Development.
• It has
supplemented the commuter railway
development as a transportation hub and provided
for expansion of Central Business District (CBD)
towards the south• Integration with existing CBD, revamping of therailway transport• Integration of commuter rail with other modes oftransport resulting to decongestion of the CBD• The plan was completed and there are various
initiatives towards implementation

SGR Embakasi Station and adjoining areas plan

• The plan provides for development of the area adjoining the SGR Station and Inland Container Depot,
integration of transportation modes for both passengers and cargo and provides a direct link to JKIA as
well as surrounding areas.
• It has identified priority projects that will have greater impacts e.g direct access road to SGR terminus,
Bypass Road (including Link Road) to relieve traffic on Mombasa Road
• Strategic Environmental and Social
completed.

Assessment report was also prepared for this plan The plan was

The Eastlands Urban Renewal Plan

• Plan provides the basis for redevelopment of residential areas for provision of adequateand affordable housing as well as expanded requisite infrastructure and working areas/
employment centers for instance construction of Gikomba Market• It has been completed and is being used guide the development of residential estates
within Shauri Moyo, Starehe and Makongeni and selected county estates• NCCG and NMS has also earmarked estates within Eastlands Plan for redevelopment inresponse to the Big 4 under ,Affordable Housing .They include : Ziwani ,Bahati,Maringo,,Jericho ,Lumumba, Bondeni and Carlifonia EstatePreparation of County Spatial Plan &Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plans fortowns in Murang’a ,Machakos, Kajiado and Kiambu Counties• The Plans include :• Murang’a County Spatial Plan
• Murang’a Kangari ,Kandara,Maragua ISUDP in Murang’a County• Ruiru,Juja ,Kikuyu,Limuru
Kiambaa
Kiambu, Wangige ,Kimende,Kamwangi,Githunguri and Gatundu ISUDPs in Kiambu County• Kitengela, Kiserian ,Ongata Rongai and Ngong ISUDPs in Kajiado County• Mavoko ISUDP in Machakos County• The preparation of the plans have been completed and have provided for an integrated
development of Nairobi Metropolitan Region and for orderly and coordinateddevelopment within the urban areas.
• The Plans addressed some of the most pressing urban development needs of themetropolitan region, form the foundation of urban land use and infrastructuredevelopment addressed haphazard development as well as urban sprawl that has
characterized the five counties and towns, including Nairobi city.
• Detailed Action Area Plans were prepared for immediate implementation of prioritizedprojects in selected areas within respective towns.

Transport Corridor Plans within NMR• Plans for transport corridors have provided for an integrated development ofNairobi Metropolitan Region• They include:• Integrated action plans for the Konza-Kenol-Kangundo-Tala –Komarock –Ruai (Eastern by pass),• Nairobi Malili Transport Corridor,• Nairobi Thika Superhighway Corridor• A2 Kenol Corridor• Have enhanced accessibility along the transport corridors into the city bycommuters and the general public for high end services -education, health,recreation and commercial as well as for doing business• The plans have provided for development of efficient and effective
transportation systems, including promotion of public transportation and nonmotorized transport, thus addressing the needs of the urban poor and othervulnerable groups

GIS Based Projects
The GIS Mass Valuation for Nairobi City County

Physical Address System for Nairobi
City, Kiambu, Thika and Machakos
Towns
The addressing Systems established inNairobi and the three urban centers will
be used as urban management tools and akey driver of economic, social and politicaldevelopment

This will lead to improved delivery ofbasic goods and services, ease ofnavigation around the city, swifter
response time and access to targeted areasin the event of security operations,emergencies or disasters, creation of jobs
as well as provision of commercial
When implemented will lead to efficient service delivery and opportunities for e-businesses
implementation of development projects by the City County/NMS as well as enhanced revenue collection (property taxes)
from property owners
It has a number of benefits
Accuracy, Confidentiality, IntegrityCounty Government Infrastructure and Services-Finances priority urban infrastructure in 13 metro
urban centres.
This included:• Markets• Access roads• Streetlighting• Disaster Management and preparedness• Construction of parking bays and bus terminus

Component 2: County Government Infrastructure and ServicesMwariro, Karandini, Ngong, Kukuyu, Kihara, Ruiru and Juja Markets were constructed through the project tocompletion and relocation of the traders to the markets
Exposure to the sun and all weather

Mwariro Market

Traders settled in Ngong Market

Disaster and Emergency Preparedness
2No. new fire stations (Kangundo Road and Waithaka)

Rehabilitation of two (2No.) stations(Tom Mboya and Industrial area) with 3No. Boreholes being drilled and 4 No. 100,000-liter elevated steel tanks
Fire Engines - 7No. 5,000-liter, 7 No. 10,000 fire engines, three (3No.) water bowsers and two (2No.) Backhoes and a flashing unit were acquired

Erected water tank in Waithaka firestation

Fire Engines

Kangundo road Fire Station

Street and Security lighting
Implementation of street lights
and security lighting (1,050
light installations comprisingroad streetlights, high mast
lights and flood lights acrossvarious roads and urban
settlement locations) has been
completed.
The project has contributed to:• Improved security and safety• Increased trading hours

Improved storm water drainage
networks -Construction and/or rehabilitation of 16 km of storm water drainage network in parts of Nairobi City, Mavoko
in Machakos County, Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County and Thika in Kiambu County . Has helped to harness
perennial flooding .

Before construction drains in South C
Ngong : Before

After –Souch C Nairobi
Ngong: AfterAccessibility and Connectivity•

Construction of 10 railway stations; (Ruiru, Kahawa
West, Githurai, Mwiki, Dandora, Kikuyu, Donholm,Pipeline, Embakasi Village and Athi River) were done
and completed•

17 No. urban access roads totaling 36.7 km bitumenroad, 20.9 km NMT and 77 km drainage length wereconstructed•

Construction of Non-Motorized Transport (NMT) in all
the urban roads has reduced conflict between pedestrians
and motorists hence leading to few accidents.
Access road to Kitengela
Railway Station

Passengers buying tickets

Athi River Station

Passengers boarding train at Athi RiverRailway Stations

KANGUNDO ROAD (TALA)-KENOL, KENOL-KANGUNDO ROAD (KOMA) AND
KATUMANI-MOMBASA ROAD AND REHABILITATION OF KENOL MACHAKOSTOWN-KATUMANl LINK ROAD

Construction of a 74 Km road in Machakos County, from Tala to Konza. The road has
been able to connect all five metropolitan Counties directly and indirectly.

Towards Regional Balanced Development forKenya
1.
2.

Financing development, operation and mentainance of National, Regional and local
Transport Infrastructure – innovative on source revenue such as Land Value Capture
instruments
Identification and prioritization of transport and support infrastructure development needs
across the country to achieve regional balancing

3.

Coordinating various transport infrastructure Agencies at the regional and local/ urban
areas

4.

Application of TOD planning principles for effective and efficient transport systems inregions, cities and urban areas

5.

Leveraging the opportunities presented by collaborative effort from all stakeholders,
including government, private sector, and civil society to develop and manage transport
infrastructure
Innovative ways of metropolitan development planning, governance and finance in view of
the complexity of the challenges being experienced as presented by, among other factors,
devolved governance system in Kenya through national policy and legislation

6.

Current Government Initiatives
Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA)
Key Priority Areas:
1. Agriculture – Crop Production,Livestock,Fisheries
2. Medium and Small Enterprises – Trade & Markets, Financing,
Business Development Support
3. Affordable Housing – PPPs & Financing (Developers) and Mortgages
4. Digital & Creative Economy – Infrastructure, Platforms, Skills
Entrepreneurship
5. Health- Primary healthcare,Health Insurance Coverage, Health
Systems capacity, Health Data Systems

The end

THANK YOU