- If implemented to, Sakaja's proposal will see construction of 15 floor buildings in Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Muthangari. The current limit is four floors
- Central Business District could have up to 75-floor skyscrapers while Ngong Road will have a maximum of 25 floors
Image: INTERNET
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is set to face MCAs today amidst mounting controversy surrounding some of his policies.
One of his proposals that has faced strong opposition is relaxing construction restrictions that will see contractors put up 75 floor storey buildings.
Sakaja will give his annual address at 2:30pm.
An order paper dated April 4 notified the house and the public that the governor was ready to address the assembly in line with the constitution.
“It is notified that the select committee on assembly business, at its last meeting, approved the following tentative business to appear in the order paper for Thursday, April 4 at 2.30 pm. The governor’s address of the county assembly is pursuant to the provisions of section 30 (2) (k) of the County Governments Act, 2012 and standing order 25 (1),” the notice reads.
Sakaja has faced a lot of criticism from opposition politicians among them Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Activists such as Jeritich Seii have also accused him of warming up to monied contractors and abusing environmental integrity by felling trees.
Last month, Sakaja said President William Ruto agreed to his proposal to review the city's plan.
If implemented to, Sakaja's proposal will see construction of 15 floor buildings in Kilimani, Kileleshwa and Muthangari. The current limit is four floors.
Central Business District could have up to 75-floor skyscrapers while Ngong Road will have a maximum of 25 floors.
Places like Mathare River, Westlands Redhill Link Road, Waiyaki Way and Ring Road Parklands will be limited to four floors.
The proposals are currently before the County Assembly’s Planning Committee chaired by Kitisuru MCA Alvin Palapala.
Zoning regulations review has not been done in the city since 2004.
But activists and politicians are not Sakaja's only nightmare.
Last month, the Architectural Association of Kenya and more than 20 resident associations criticised the proposed policy.
They said zoning review is not the city’s current priority.
Architectural association of Kenya president Florence Nyole said the the governor should focus on dealing with rampant insecurity, flush floods and the destruction of flora and fauna.
“The recent flooding, gas explosions in residential areas, sewer bursts, worsening traffic congestion, limited to no water provision, constant electricity outages and rampant insecurity in Nairobi are clear indicators of the dire consequences of unplanned and haphazard development. Proper planning is the only solution to managing the chaos we are currently witnessing in Nairobi,” she said.
Sakaja said the policy is the appropriate response to population surge in the city.
He said while the land space in the city is getting limited by the day, the upper space towards the sky is the option.
"Nairobi is 696 square kilometres. In 2050 it will have a population of 10.5 million people. Will we expand Nairobi? No the only place we have to go is up," Sakaja said.
The governor said the review does not mean he is not alive to other needs of Nairobians, including sewer, health, traffic and others
“Traffic, health and educational facilities as well as provision for green spaces will be mandatory in this framework.... there are other considerations such as plot ratios, ground coverage, area character etc that will be considered," he said.
"We can only go up but we must do so responsibly. And we shall."
Sakaja is also faced with the storm of his admonition of citizens who film city askaris allegedly harassing the public as they enforce bylaws.