Masterplan – In May 2014 we launched a new City Masterplan – the first for nearly 40 years - after the central bureaucrats thought there was no need for one at all. When I travelled to Japan last year I signed a deal to introduce a New Mass Transit System for Nairobi and the surrounding counties ( In July Treasury accepted its implementation to the tune of Kes 400M). Construction will begin in earnest 2016. The Nairobi Integrated Urban (Niuplan) Development Master Plan-a guiding city development framework-seeks to integrate sustainability into development in the city by 2030. The plan was developed with technical support from the Japanese government through JICA. Water provision – The County government in its 2015/2016 budget has set aside Kes 30 milion for the expansion of water provision and sewerage services in all informal settlements. In June this year the NCCG launched 45 water dispensers in Mashimoni village, Mathare Sub-County. These water ATM machines have now edged out vendors who have for long exploited the residents by selling water for Sh30 per 20-litre container. Mathare residents will now be able to access clean and affordable water for as low as 50 cents. There will be no limit to the amount of cash that one can top up, allowing many to make monthly or weekly budgets by simply swiping smart cards at the ATM dispensers and only paying for the amount of water required. This program will drastically lead to a reduction in cases of cholera as well as completely eradicate illnesses caused by drinking dirty water. More ATM’s are set for launch in the coming months. Roads and street lighting - In February this year, the Ministry of Transport and Nairobi City County government introduced a series of short-term emergency measures to redirect the flow of traffic on Nairobi’s key roads by removing right-turns on selected roundabouts in the city centre. The roundabouts on Mombasa Road and Uhuru Highway will soon be fully signalized with intersections that will unblock a vital artery to our city and drastically decongest the city. In Environment – The county introduced Franchising to ensure standards of cleanliness are uniform across all zones. Though the NCCG experienced a hitch when a section of disgruntled operators went to court with some residents even refusing to support the program and instead opted to pay Private Service provider (PSP) instead of the Franchisees. In health – Ksh8 billion, representing 27% of our annual budget of Ksh31 billion, has been allocated to the health sector. This is geared towards laying a strong foundation to ensure that Nairobi residents have a wide choice in as far as health facilities are concerned; Drugs is now supplied on a regular basis in all the county health facilities as well as free treatment. In September this year Nairobi City County handed over appointment letters to 226 health sector workers. This is part of my election manifesto on the provision of better health care through review of the availability, distribution and staffing of health facilities. This adds to the 211 health workers recently appointed under the Economic Stimulus Program (ESP) bringing the total to 437 appointments in less than 6 months by NCCG. The first time this has happened since 1998. ICT Infrastructure – Nairobi City County government launched Kenya’s first County Government electronic payment system “eJijipay” in June 2014. This system has brought about efficiency and convenience in the County revenue collection process. The e-payment solution, developed by Kenyan tech firm Jambopay, allows land owners, matatu owners, market vendors, and business owners make payments to the County Government using their mobile phones, or with debit cards at selected banks and at independent agent stalls spread across the metropolis. Urban renewal and regeneration of old houses – The Masterplan will bring with it urban development and redevelopment of old housing estates within the Nairobi City County. The NCCG recently placed a tender in the local dailies for the development of 100,000 new housing units and renovation of existing homes. The new housing units will house approximately 650,000 residents, with the plan to renovate the existing homes currently on existing estates Currently, the county government collects rent from 14,000 housing units (developed in these areas through a joint venture approach)— some dilapidated. The more than 3B USD project is slated to be bigger than the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and is set to give Nairobi a major face-lift. Street lighting – On security; reported crime levels have dropped from 1,200 incidences per month to 300 incidences per month is also top of mind as we embark on making Nairobi City a 24 hour economy; We have commenced the rehabilitation of street lights in the whole of Nairobi City to the tune of KSh953 million. This plan is facing challenges following continued vandalism.

• published: 30 May 2017
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