Welcome - Karibuni - My blog Launch Comments!.
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Welcome to this blog, initiated to enhance service delivery to the city residents. Social media has become a powerful tool to empower people of all levels and backgrounds. Through this blog, the city has been taken to the people. The blog will act as platform where different experiences, knowledge and ideas from kenyans , residents and other visitors to the blog will jointly engage and share the vision that will drive Nairobi into being a world class city, in line with vision 2030. Hopefully this lively interaction of ideas will retransmit this city to its past glory as “the greencity in the sun.”
The city has many challenges that must be overcome in order to achieve our vision of being a modern metropolis. I know that through this exchange, innovative ideas will be debated by people of diverse backgrounds. This platform will combine a sense of surprise, discovery, enlightenment, joy, inspiration, and fun in the discourse of management of Council affairs. Consequently, the sifting, sieving,dissecting and enrichment of these ideas will snowball into great service delivery innovations by the City Council of Nairobi.
Let me assure you that this blog is neither an end in itself nor a mere talking shop. On the contrary, it will act as the watershed of new joint initiatives by the Council and the residents. Consequently, I have assigned two officers to work with me in sieving the ideas and identifying those that can implemented. I commit myself to making a monthly progress report on ideas submitted for implementation. By so doing, our unity of purpose will propel Nairobi to world class standards. As a gesture of appreciation, a monthly reward will be offered to the best idea generated by a blogger.
Kindly join the other bloggers in giving your comments, criticism, ideas and sharing your knowledge and experience in the management of the City of Nairobi. You now have the power and opportunity to run the city.
Happy blogging,· Single Business Permits (mandatory)
· Fire clearance certificate (mandatory)
· Food hygiene certificate (premises selling food)
· Medical examination certificate (food handlers)
· Small signage / wall branding / vehicle branding
Philip,
I think that this a great idea. It is also a first one from the Council. The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) Nairobi Chapter membership should find this a useful resource.
i must hasten to mention the usefulness of the same would be pegged on how much the ideas can be objectively collated and more importantly, implemented and reported back.
Again, and talking for city residents and I, it would be useful for you to demystify the operations and departments of the Council - so that the engagement through this blog will not be one-sided - that of enquiries and lamentations only.
For long, city residents have been denied an opportunity to effectively engage with the city fathers and mothers. We must use this blog and a regular hard copy newsletter to reach those that cannot access internet. Even for those who can access/read but can't afford internet costs, there should be either free or heavily subsidized CCN internet kiosks on selected streets and residential areas. Such kiosks should be limited to the CCN website and this blog.
You could also appeal to internet/cyber cafe private operators to market the blg on the homepages. We need to see the traffic up.
Departmental heads will need to answer all queries on a daily basis. Let it be a one-stop. Let them offer convincing answers and timely.
The blog will also be user-friendly if issues can be separated. Important links say to your by-laws; strategic plan; monthly revenue collections and targets; tenders; among others could be useful.
In the meantime, we are watching. Like they say, being number one is easier than remaining number one. So we hope you can sustain this. Good luck.
Stephen Mutoro. CEO, KARA
(smutoro@kara.or.ke)
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Good comment Stevo!!
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That was a lovely comment Steven. I like it. Its a good start
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Thank you Stephen. Indeed, this is the first step of removing the veil of mystery on Council operations. We shall only know our shortcoming through your feedback and comments. The Council has opened up so that you may directly tell us what you don’t like about us. I promise to respond expeditiously to all issues that are raised.
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Hi Steve Muturo,CEO,KARA,
As a council employee in the City Planning Department. Wish to thank you for your kind comments on this new communication forum via the blog.I believe this has created more room for interacting with citizens of the city on development issues and challanges that can need to be addressed to make the city a better place to be.
Patrick Analo
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A milestone. It will give people of great city of Nairobi easy acsses to interact with the management of the city.
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Thanks for setting up this forum.
I have been saddened by the continuous cutting of trees in Nairobi. The worst case can be seen on Uhuru high way and University way. How can we go back to being the Green city in the sun if we are cutting the trees that gave Nairobi that Nickname?
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Thanks for that observation, currently trees and various plants are being planted on Uhuru Highway, we were waiting for the rains, and now we are planting. Take time and see the progress on that highway.
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Patricia, I think th trees are being cut in preparation for the fly over towards globe cinema - or am I wrong Mr Town Clerk?
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Uhuru Highway is a classified road under the Ministry of Roads. The Council, therefore does not have a say in its management( other classified roads include: Thika, Limuru, Muranga, Ngong, Outering, Kangundo, Mombasa road, Forest road, Langata road, Lower Kabete road, Red Hill road, Ngacha road, Waiyaki way, Chiromo road, Uhuru Highway, Kiambu road).
However, following public outcry, the Council engaged the Chief Engineer, Ministry of Roads, who has undertaken to replace the stones with palm trees. Thus, the city will still remain green.
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I must first of all commend you for the brilliant idea although belated. If as you say this exercise is not a public gimmick, am sure we are on the road to what most us have longed for.
I am though dissapointed that Outering road falls under the ministry. Not under the NCC that is working hard to bring back Nairobi to its former glory. My issue is opening up of Easlands that is locked up due to chronic traffic jams. Doonholm round about is a nightmare to Eastlanders and its the only area that needs to be opened opened up and it will open the whole of Eastlands all the way to the JKIA. By construction of a highway that no need for all vehicles to go through the round about, we will have a significant reduction in man hour waisted and all that fuel that is burnt in the traffic jams. By the time people get to the offices, they are already tired because of sitting in the jam and this makes them less productive. In the evening the same and less time to spend with our families. Mr. Kisia how can this be solved?
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Phillip,
I have to admit that this is in deed a superb idea which has been long overdue. I am glad that we now have at the hem of leadership someone who understands that technology is a vital component to the success of every organization in the 21st century.
You have been charged with a heavy responsibility of transforming the city of Nairobi into first class metropolitan but I believe that you are equal to the challenge. You will obviously occasionally receive some discouraging remarks, but you should never forget that you have the support and the goodwill of others. Remember, you cannot succeed alone, you require the good will of those you lead. I believe that this is just but the beginning of new innovations necessary to catapult the service delivery into another level.
Kigwa Stephen
Igniting U 2 Recognition
Master Result Coach.
www.mskigwa.com
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I agree that the work of returning this city to its former glory, we need the support of all city residents and well wishers to become a world class city. I look forward to receiving your ideas on service delivery.
Philip Kisia
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Dear Philip
Firstly in my own capacity and on behalf of NCBDA congratulate you immensly for pulling a first one.Indeed people must now communicate to the council freely and easily.I believe this is one of the best channels to do so provided it is not a PR gimmick or a talk shop.Responses and actions ,must follow in order to boost confidence in this modum.Thats a huge challege knowing the culture of City Hall but again people are now being asked to embrace change or change will phase them out.
Coming from an organisation which you pioneered we know our membership have lots of ideas,do lots of troubleshooting ,give enourmous positive contribution but communication is always a challege.I think yours is a trasnformational leadership in which communication plays a critical role.This is step towards the Vision 2030 and the Metro 2030 Strategy all which are great but we all need to 'think them' and 'live them' to achieve.You are now doing that.
As a way of initiating this blog let NCBDA be the first one to put forward suggestions.
1.Please place a notice on dailies stating that alighting or boarding matatus or buses is done only on designated buses or laybys.That if anyone is caught alighting or boarding a Matatu or bus in a non designated they will face the consequences(fines or arrest).
2.You have done perfectly well on two way streets on Koinange,MuindiBingu,Moi Avenue(some bit of work remaining).Lets look at removing the right turns which cause congestion and also since this traffic has been released lets look at the junctions efficiency.
3.City Council should have a big hand in control of Public Transport.We think that one of the reasons why many citizens dont trust public transport is because of its unreliability and one of the reasons why it is unreliable is because of Light regulation.
4.NCBDA secreteriat during its quarterly assessment on state of the City has noted that the area beyond Kirinyaga Road is very badly off mainly because of uncoordinated mechanics,clogged streets etc etc and yet this is our CBD.Can we propose a PPP to build sheds(include Kipande Road) for mechanics and run the two streets(Lower Kirinyaga Road and Riverside Kirinyaga as Bus Terminal on a BOT basis and this will Transform the area totally give sustainable livelihoods to the mechanics and also give the council income and make the area vibrant..??
Over To You.
TIMOTHY MURIUKI
CHAIRMAN-NCBDA
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Isnt that a brilliant kenyan looking at Development of Nairobi in such a reformative way?.Apply rules and also public transport is public good.It must be checked.
Thanks Timothy.And as you say over to Philip.
Kihado P.S
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I assure you that this initiative is not a public relations gimmick, but comes from a deep desire to harness the contribution of the people and make this city better.
We are open for suggestions from your end.
Philip Kisia
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We look forward to receiving your detailed proposal on Public Private Partnership, for a discussion to enable us improve the state of Kirinyaga Road, and bring satisfaction to all stakeholders involved.
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This is a very good idea and forum for the residents of nairobi
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I think is is a very positive move that will not only provide a forum to air our views but equally enable the NCC leverage on ICT to improve on its service delivery. Way to go!
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Congratulations for embracing IT. I can now see us voting online soon!
I sugest for a long term, alot of financing will be involved. However, alot can be done in the short term will least amount of finances involved. Let the brains do the job.
Lets get to work;
1, Alot of escavation is going on in Nairobi, the trucks ferry the dug up soil openly and spilling all they to their destination. This soil paricles escalate the potholes! This must be stopped.
2, Allocating two council staff to clean up the soil eroded to the roads on a daily basis will ensure no potholes.
3, Encourage and support organisations in the public sector to completely reroute and freshly plan routes of psv in Nairobi so that many commutors can use one vehicle per trip as opposed to two or three.
4, All round abouts need marking of lanes correctly. Roads should be marked based on the volume of traffice flow.
5, Lets plant trees along the highway.
6, Clear and Convert the entire idle land along the Nairobi river behind Kijabe Street and Kipande Road into parking lots.
7, Create Jumbo hawkers market on the above converted parking lots on Sundays for Hawkers and provide security and cleanliness. Some perseverance and consistency will result to nairobians coming to shop there.
8, Publish and circulate what one is subjected to when an offence is committed by him or her so that the issue of bribery does not come in.
I will keep writing. Thanks again for the oportunity to serve my mother land.
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Sanjay has good ideas.One idea we need to improve on is that of having car parks in a wet land.
The best eco-corret way of using the land on either side of Nairobi River is making it a forested green park with some relaxation grass lawns.
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Congratulations to the Mayor, Town Clerk and the City of Council of Nairobi on this brilliant idea!
Mr. Kisia please publish or make available all the City By-Laws because we are subject to constant harrasment by City Council Askaris who appear at our businesses without notice demanding for certificates that most of us are unaware of.
Also please clarify whether it is the owner of a building or individual tenants who should get fire preparedness certificates. In my humble opinion every Landlord should have their building certified by City Council for fire preparedness but each tenant should be obligated to ensure that their premises has the adequate equipment in the event a fire broke out from their premises. Please advice
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We have already simplified 4 by laws for public consumption. These have already been posted on the website, www.nairobicity.go.ke, and circulated to members of the public in the month of September. The remaining 13 by laws will also be simplified for public consumption.
A checklist of certificates and business licences a business person ought to have, will be posted in the next few days. I will also provide details on fire inspection certificates.
All business owners should check that they have the following licenses:
· Single Business Permits (mandatory)
· Fire clearance certificate (mandatory)
· Food hygiene certificate (premises selling food)
· Medical examination certificate (food handlers)
· Small signage / wall branding / vehicle branding
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Congratulations to all involved with the launch of the ideasfornairobi.org.
A step towards a better Kenya.
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This is great ! CEO, it will impact the running and management of CCN. Good ideas will be frontier when implemented.
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Excellent that you have an outlet to let us know what your plans are. Not a big fan of council news coverage as it hardly carries anything positive.
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Mayor, Phillip and Nairobians, Welcome to the future. This is the way to go. My support.
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Thanks for your support. I look forward to receiving your views and suggestions.
Philip Kisia
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Mr. Phillip Kisia, when you were appointed as Town Clerk, we were all filled with hope due to your immense past record and performance. You have not disappointed. I join my fellow Nairobians in congratulating you for this initiative and encourage you to use it to improve services within the city of Nairobi. Compilation and classification of comments/complaints/queries as well as implementation of the same, and publishing the information will enable us to quickly regian the lost glory of the city. I particularly want to support one comment above on publishing of city by-laws so that we can co-operate in their enforcement. Keep up the good work. We trust that ongoing local government reforms including direct elections of mayors and the creation of a professional council will complement your initiatives.
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Your contributions will be important for the Council to achieve a revered status. I shall ensure that all the 17 by laws and other statutory obligations are simplified and published for public consumption. So far, 4 by laws (general nuisance, solid waste management, parking and fire brigade) have been simplified and posted on Council website( www.nairobicity.go.ke). They will also be posted on this blog.
Philip Kisia
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Mr Kisia,
Thank you for your reply. In your reply you have quoted the official city of nairobi website. To my utter shock and dismat, the website still shows Hon. Dick Wathika as the city mayor and Mr. John Gakuo as the town clerk. In this era of technology, i believe the website should be updated on a daily basis for news and events. The website in itself is below average..... the section about Nairobi talks about the nairobi national park instead of the nairobi the city!!! Embracing ICT involves having an up to date website...when can we expect an updated website?
Regards,
Kevin
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Sorry for the error created in the website we posted. We have since made the correction. The official council website has HWTM Geoffrey Majiwa as Mayor, and me as the Town Clerk. However, we have not been able to update our website as expected. We shall also strive to improve the presentation of the site. This will be done by the end of December.
Philip Kisia
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Your contributions will be important for the Council to achieve a revered status. I shall ensure that all the 17 by laws and other statutory obligations are simplified and published for public consumption. So far, 4 by laws (general nuisance, solid waste management, parking and fire brigade) have been simplified and posted on Council website ( www.nairobicity.go.ke). They will also be posted on this blog.
Philip Kisia
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Thanks for launching this blog. I hope that CityHall will work at partnering with the City residents to have a better Nairobi.
I believe together we will achieve what we purpose to achieve.
Nairobians we have a chance now to point to the rot and corruption that we see daily committed by the City council employees who are supposed to render us service, but end up stealing and forcing for bribes.
This blog will be our voice. Hoping that the Mayor and the Town Clerk will be following the Blog.
Regards
Gerald Ongoro
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The blog has been set up to give power to you. Let us know what we can do to improve on service delivery and transmit this city to greater heights.
Philip Kisia
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The City Council is something akin to a product without benefits. Marketing or presing over it is no mean task. Two things for attention:
1. Planting stones on Uhuru Highway ( I hope this initiative has died. In this era, we must promote nature. How do you uproot nature to plant stones?
2. Rules based management often yields to resistance. My brother Kisia seems to front this sort of management because the only communication we hear from the City Council is one that threatens us if we do not follow some 'insect' by-laws (like spitting in public). Should we not focus these energies on creating more parking bays instead of restricting vehicles out of the city; putting checks against corruption at city hall instead of unleasing Askaris on people who will go free anyway after bribing them>
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The Council has always been supportive of urban afforestation. Thus, the placement of stones was undertaken by the Ministry of Roads, who manageUhuru Highway
The making of a world class city means that residents and other visitors to the city operate under some given parameters. Thus, by laws are supposed to regulate our conduct within the city. These must be done as the Council embarks on other urgent measures like expansion of parking and corruption eradication.
Philip Kisia
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Congratulations Phillip and company. teach the councilors how to embrace ICT if Nairobians are to reap maximum benefits from this blog. Well Done!!
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I assure you that each one at the Council has embraced ICT.
Philip Kisia
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This is such a wonderful opportunity to interact both with our local and international customers. Keep it up boss.
warm regards
caro
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Thanks for your encouraging remarks.
Philip Kisia
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I, like most of the others appreciating this step, am very pleased by it. Its a shock - but a good one. Hopefully you'll take note of our suggestions. Am actually glad that ppl are putting in suggestions - hoping you are not denying the negative voices a chance as well!
I have one main suggestion:
The route from town to South B/C, Msa Rd & Langata Rd can be modified to ease traffic & be more efficient. If you build a road thru' the railway termini, connecting it with the Lusaka Rd/Labour office round-about, and then have the matatus plying these routes terminate in the Railway terminus - you would gain alot!
First - they would not use the round about - so much traffic reduction around Haile Selasie / Uhuru Highway roundabout and Haile selasie / Moi Avenue Round about. Seconly, you would create space in Bus station where these PSVs park - and the traffic around Haile Selasie / Bus station area.
Some of the matatu owners & drivers say they would welcome such a move as it will cut their costs & travel time. I, a resident of South B - totally agree!
J
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This is the best idea to ever come from the City Council. This is so, because without communication, no relationship can exist. Hopefully, this website will be a communication tool between the public and the city council. Mr. Kisia, I honestly believe that you are the change we have been yearning for in the Council. Take all comments, complaints, and praises positively. Please do us proud and let us change Kenya and Nairobi in particular. All the best!!
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Thanks for your encouragement. I look forward to receiving your contributions.
Philip Kisia
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Dear Mr Kisa.
I really appreciate this blog being opened as it will allow a much better interaction between te public and your office. Well Done.
I have a problem that I would like you to address and that is!!
For the past year I have been commuting into town to my place of work on Kioinangee Street on my Motorcycle due to constant traffic jams, I have been parking either between parked cars or on a remote part of the pavemant, and up and until today everything has been OK.
Just before lunch today I was informed that some people were taking my motorcycle along with 5 other bikes. I went down only to find a very rude and arrogant person starting to take all the motor bike away. He and the others refused to produce any identification and told us to pay Kshs 3,500.00 fine and only then collect the bikes at the City Council offices. I asked if he could tell me where we should park as there are NO designeted M/Cycle parking areas, but he refused to comment and said I was being abusive, and that my M/Cycle was causing obstruction.
Please could you let me know if this is legal, and where we are suppoosed to park?? Surley, it would be better for the NCC to firstly create some M/Cycle parking bays on all streets, then adveritse the same were available and also notifying the public that if M/Cycles are not parked in these pay, only then would they be removed.
I am now reluctant to send my drivers and messangers to town ( all who are on M/Cycles) as there is no where to park, no guidelines to follow, bearing in mind the whole reason for using this mode of transport is:
1) To help traffic congesstion
2) Speed of doing business
3) Less valuable, working time spent in a traffic Jam
4) Saving fuel and pollution.
I have left my bike there in protest and will now add a few other cars to the already conjested city.
I would appreciate your comments
Regards
Quentin Savage
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Thanks for your apt observations. Motorcycles are with us and indeed the Council will have to come up with regulations covering this mode of transport. I will soon post the Council’s plans regarding this popular mode of transport.
Philip Kisia
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Bwana Kisia,
Well done on the blog. I think you are on the threshold of harness the power of the people. As you can imagine it will be quite a handful with comments, but there is power in tapping into the minds of people. Feel free to share you thoughts as well on the future of Nairobi and we can help sharpen them. Even when people pour out bitter criticism, may you filter and hear the real need among the people.
Lastly, this could also become your whistle blowing forum. If you share the by-laws for Nairobi, you can be guaranteed we'll tell you where they are being flouted. In fact if it was possible to post photos, we can take photos and post to let you know who is not doing the right thing. Someone could easily have sent the photo of the Kiambu building before it collapsed.
In summary, I hope this blog becomes your most valued source of information, insight and understanding of the people you serve.
Congratulations.
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Thanks for your encouraging remarks. I would appreciate your help in helping other residents know about the Council by laws, with a view to compliance. I also look forward to receiving information on areas the Council needs to move in and enforce its laws. Indeed, right now the power is to the people.
Philip Kisia
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Dear Mr Kisia,
Certainly social media has become a part of our lives but am curious as to how you will be able to respond to all the comments perhaps something more realtime? Anyway mine is a humble suggestion; we may not have enough foot bridges in Nairobi but how about making the current ones safe by removing the paneling that allows advertising? This contributes to all manner of criminals lurking at the top of the bridge making life unbearable for the pedestrians using the bridges. If there are open railings on the bridges natural light by day and that from on coming vehicles below will atleast make the bridges much safer.
Over to you Sir
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We have seen your comments and we shall examine the complaints to come up with solutions to mitigate the danger of pedestrians using the footbridges.
Philip Kisia
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Gd morning
I would like clarification on the illegal & unsanctioned development happening on Thigiri Ridge Road over the past 10 years on a plot that was surrendered to the government for use as a clinic and a kindergarten. The developer has no approved plans from the Council, has had all approvals by NEMA revoked and yet carries on building unhindered. You have had personal representation from the association and made promises that you have not yet implemented. I do not see how you can expect to restore Nairobi to it's glory and make it a world class city when you have different sets of rules for applicalble to residents.
Would honestly like to know how you intend to solve this issue so that your zoning laws are respected, so that your building laws are respected, so that your environmental laws are respected and adhered to, so that we see that you are the ultimate authority in the structured development of the City of Nairobi
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Thank you for your comments. I will get back to you in a while.
Philip Kisia
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IT's a great platform, good for embracing it. Well as for City Council initiatives (or lack thereof) despicable. There's always the sense that one Town Clerk is trying to outdo the other and get all the glory for that.
What happens when cable companies are digging trenches and holes in town and leave the pavements and roads all the worse for this? Isn't there a law for civil works in place?
Drainage ! Eyesore ! First you can't harvest rainwater in the CBD (which would go a long way in alleviating water shortages). Then we find all the trenches are never maintained and the roads next keep having issues draining the water. Anyone watching that?
City askaris! Let me not even get started with this. Since when did human beings become like animals to be hauled into vehicles and kangaroo courts held in the same contraptions and once the verdict's guilty, you either cough out a sizeable amount or spend a night in the 'esteemed' abodes of City Hall cells or other Police cells (to the detriment of your health)
Parking, nightmare ! When the rest of the world's going techie, we have personnel collecting cash, WRONG! If you ask me, it serves the City fathers to easily collect liquid money & is open to abuse. What's more if you don't pay the ticket especially after waiting for the attendants, your vehicle's clamped and then towed where you're charged like it's the end of the world. Parking silos maybe the end to this misery since it is safer for the vehicles, less pilferages and convenient for drivers. Please offer incentives for more of this and there shall be a myriad on investors doing it. Upper Hill & Community areas are already doing it, what's City Hall waiting for?
Going green, it's easy to plant trees but no one gets to prune and nurture them to maturity. Why not use the youth programmes to offer incentives for the best maintained areas and trees even in estates and you'll see what will come of it? Forget the road beautification ! Kenyan motorists are some of the most careless, a drive on Jogoo Road and other city roads is enough testimony.
Demarcate more public places, this life's stressful and we have not had such hard times in a long time. Please utilise and buy more spaces & modify them to offer rest to your city dwellers. The Nairobi River banks' a perfect location like they've done in most European cities. Forget those talking about developing buildings near such places, it will only makes us back to those environmental disasters we were courting...
Guess that's enough for a start. I'll be a regular here especially if you don't act on some of the proposals made (by self and other City-dwellers)! Less Talk, More Green !
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I share with your sentiments and frustrations with the status of the city and the council. I have noted your comments and will inform you on the plans we have to tackle the existing problems, through various reforms initiatives
Phillip Kisia
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The City Council of Nairobi is developing plans and a frame work to rope in other stakeholders to develop parking silos in the city.
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i reside in 5th parklands and since last 10 months we have no water. having contacted NWC several times, complained in dailies, but nothing is being done. can some one in the NCC come to our rescue. evertime we complain, they refer to another person. even if we were supplied as per ratoning schedule we would have not complained. i see NWC is iso certified co, and there is no one to look into the complain, then how is a company certified. my a/c 1101271, refers for the location. Is there a cartel to sell water by vendors. the officers always complain about low pressure, how come some areas get in full pressure and here low pressure always. i understand the current situation of drought, but now we see little rain, so is it that the dam is not going to be filled, and we always hear low pressure every time. may be some one in city council will investigate for us and let us know if there are cartels going on.
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All water and sewerage matters in the city fall under the mandate of Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company. The Council is represented at the board, and we shall take the matter up with the management.
Philip Kisia
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While addressing this issue please also look into why the NYS HQ on Thika Road has a permanent drought in the taps.
Thanks.
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I am considering buying a bicycle as my new mode of transport but shudder whenever see my fellow cyclists to be.I also recall with horror the spurturing blood of another cyclists on Waiyaki Way a couple of years back.What can the City Council do to encourage green kenyans like myself and others who are still eager to live iin Nairobi even after we embrace cycling?
What water recycling methods are currently used by the council itself and how can KARA be roped in to encourage all residents too be more water responsible?I watched a feature on CNBC news some months back and would like to see a citizery actively moved to DO something for this city and the planet by extension.
Can City Council light up the city using SOLAR lamps?
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Thank for sharing your view on the plight of cyclists in the City. Accidents are handled are managed by the traffic police. However, the council will consider integrating the interests of the cyclists in its transport policy.
Nairobi city water and Sewerage Company is mandated to handle all matters on water and sewerage in the city. I will take up this matter at the board of the company, where I represent the Council. Your views and comments in this area will help push this idea forward.
Solar energy will go along way in saving electricity costs for the Council. I have forwarded your suggw
Philip Kisia
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1. Please make it a policy that in the Nairobi---people come first. The City's urban space is designed to serve polluting, fuel guzzling monsters--there are no bicycle lanes or footpaths.
2. Make a policy that all developers of new estates MUST provide open space for sports and recreation. Nairobi's kids are locked in a zoo of walls and barbed wire fences. Lack of recreational space is the reason why bars are full every day! Thank you
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I agree with you that cities are made for people. These are good ideas for our planning department to think through. We shall give our response in due course.
Philip Kisia
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In order to improve on use of space in the city, currently all development must provide open space or recreation area before being approval is given by the Council.
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I am deeply grateful to read your comments regarding recreation area. I live in Ngei Phase one Estate, and what we as residents of that estate know is our recreational area has been grabbed and even the map shows that. We as residents were shocked to know that someone intends to build flats on the grounds. How can you assist us?
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Thanks for bringing this matter to my attention. I will institute internal mechanisms to get the facts of the matter, before reverting to you.
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This is a great blog..am glad to see the NCC using today's tech to talk to it's people.
As I was going through all the comments I came across the one in regards to Ngei 1 estate, am actually a resident of this area. We live in beautiful neighbourhood. You should visit the estate if have never been there. Unfortunately as Terry says someone has grabbed the recreational space and is planning to build flats to land that belongs to the estate. Residents have been up in arms but we need more support from NCC so that the grabber can be shamed for stealing the estate's land. Please note the the rates we pay for our homes include the common areas such as the play-ground. Please Mr. Kisia look into the matter and save our grounds. Be blessed for your good job.
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HI Kisia,
Congratulations
Can you do something about the manholes which are open within the city please? Like behind kimathi house? also, what about the live wires on many posts which are open and can kill easily
good work on transparency!
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Thanks for pointing out these defects to us. While we make efforts to replace the manhole covers, it should be noted that the covers are usually vandalized by residents. Lets all join hands to stop this menace. However, the manhole covers will be replaced within 14 days.
We shall take necessary measures to control the hanging wires.
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Bwana kisia and team
Can something be done about the deep and open manholes in town? one example is behind kimathi street..i think its kimathi lane.
Also what about the elect poles with live wires hanging out?
Looking forward to ya response
City resident
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Thanks for pointing out these defects to us. While we make efforts to replace the manhole covers, it should be noted that the covers are usually vandalized by residents. Lets all join hands to stop this menace. However, the manhole covers will be replaced within 14 days.
We shall take necessary measures to control the hanging wires.
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Mr.Kisia, Perhaps the Council should consider recycled plastic man hole covers that will not be attractive to thieves. This will enhance the environmental concern of the Council as well as reduce costs on manhole covers. Johannesburg city is using such.
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Mr. Kisia,
I wish to report to you and to share with bloggers here about my experience 20 minutes ago (at 10.20 am) around Old Nation Centre.
I had a flat tyre. I decided to replace it. A group of six men dressed in City Council Askari Uniforms (I have since confirmed are Council askaris notorious along Old Nation, Kirinyaga Road area), grabbed my wheel spanners and jack, leaving me at the mercy of samaritans. They walked away without identifying themselves nor informing me of any offence committed. I am so disgusted that the by-laws are being enforced in such a criminal manner. I ask your good office to consider taking action against such staff and to return my tools since I am traveling upcountry over the weekend. Perhaps a professionalisation of that department will help since such cases are so common.
arap Kirui
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The offence committed by our “officers” is criminal. I have directed the Director of Investigation to look into the matter and get back to me expeditiously. To enable me take corrective action, kindly let me have your contacts for further details. You can give your contacts on our customer care lines: 0725 62 44 89 or 0735 82 53 83 or 020 344 194.
Among my reform agenda is to initiate the necessary reforms to make the department more responsive to the residents’ needs. I count on your support as we embark on this journey. Perhaps, you can point out areas we can improve on to make the department more resident focused.
Philip Kisia
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Mr. Kisia,
I wish to thank you and your office for the response over my distress after being messed up by 'kanjo'. They eventually returned my jack and tools to the same street five days later, and luckily I had left my business cards with shop attendants around the scene. It was my first time to encounter them. I also thank you for the efforts you are putting in place to reform the institution and the department in particular.
Kipkemoi arap Kirui
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Mr.Kisia,
As you can see that there are many willing residenst who want to contribute towards the better Nairobi. i sugest that you will be overwhelmed and get busy replying, yet you have 2030 round the corner. i sugest that you avail the names and numbers of assitants zoned as the area. This area should be about 3kilometres squared max. Residents can keep talking to them on various issues and these assistants should report directly to you giving reports and meeting once in say two weeks. These assistants can appreciate practical ideas as they originate from there, supervise the council staff on cleaning, reporting menace, colecting reveues etc. The assistants can also be volunteers and not paid. They are auditors. I am sure many city residents will be willing to give some time for this. Alot can be done with funds, but i always believe that more than that can be done with the brains. After all, god gave us fertile soil and rains which Israel did not have but they have better irrigation systems! we have cocoa trees but Switzerland makes the best chocolates without any tree! We cannot survive floods but netherlands has a city under ocean water level! We have dry taps yet Dubai has water all year round yet we receive infinite times the rainfall! We keep repairing roads yet developed cities never need to!
We need to adopt to policies of long term, maintenance free, cost effective and having sense of the expenditure.
Otherwise, definately a good start.
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Why doesn't the City Council of Nairobi facilitate human size underground tunnels under all roads which will host all sewer pipes, water pipes and storm water drainages. These tunnels will provide for City Council to charge rent for any person/company wanting to pass orlay thier cables or conduits as opposed to digging up the pedestrian walk ways and road sides to pass or lay these cables. ie the Internet cables, power cables, telephone etc,,, servicing of these cables, sewer, water etc...will be very easy as it will be walk in fix and walk out. as seen on this site:
http://matt.wandel.ca/tunnels/tunnels.html
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The Council is examining your idea in relation to establish its feasibility. Thus, it may take long before the concept is actualized.
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Mr. Kisia,
I an a Tassia resident.
First i must appriciate the infrastructure development the council is undertaking in parts of the city.
However, i equally diasappointed that while it solves a problem for some it creates one for others.Tassia estate is a good example. When the road to Nyayo Embakasi turning at Fedha, off outering road was being done, all the traffic was diverted into the estate road which was only meant for light traffic.We thought that upon completion some maintenance would be done on the estate road.This did not happen and the result is that while the subject road was done, our estate roads were left delapidated and no one seems to care to repair them.
How can you help the affected Tassia residents?
Rgds
Aoko
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straight to the point: What is the CCN doing about the delapidated Landhies road, to and from town? With all these dug up trenches, pools of water and gaping potholes, Landhies road is a big driving nightmare. Please do something about it urgently. Drivers from Eastlands would surely appreciate some recarpeting. Over to you Sir. Point number 2 concerns the issue of heavy trucks on our roads. I believe this issue need no emphasising as it has been on the lips of Kenyans for so long now. These trucks need re-directing away from town completely. I hope that CCN is working closely with the ministry to quickly resolve this inconvenience. Those by-passes could not have been more urgent! Over to you Sir. Issue number 3 concerns the offending Doonholn round-about. Sir, I invite you and your officers to pay a reconnaisance visit here and experience for yourselves driving made in hell. The traffic jams here are simply an absolute nightmare especially for an area where about two-thirds of the population of Nairobi lives. Somebody needs to re-plan this like from yesterday. It's simply mind-boggling how one can spend hours on this 'rounda' even on Sunday night!! Is someone at CCN listening? Again, over to you Sir. Thanks and catch you again on the Blog.
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Dear Mr. Kisia,
I commend you on your efforts to get the CCN back up and running, and for the initiatives that have been implemented so far. In addition to the wonderful ideas already suggested here, I think the CCN should focus on the power of civic education and awareness. They say knowledge is power, but does this apply in the CCN?
I like the fact that you are disseminating the By-laws to the public which is a huge step in the right direction. That way, we are able to know our rights and demand them if they are not met. But the same initiative should be taken when implementing an idea; use public consultation and tap into local knowledge. I give a few examples such as the installation of pedestrians’ traffic lights and zebra crossings. An excellent idea, however, no one knows how to use them! Did anyone ask pedestrians if and where they wanted such traffic lights/crossings? Did anyone educate motorists/pedestrians on how to use these traffic aids? That is just a minor example. You talk of installing parking meters, but are there signs instructing people on how to use them? Another example is the idea that increasing parking fees in the city will reduce the number of cars going in. Will that really stop motorists from driving into the city? Has anyone asked them what would be a good incentive to reduce their use of private transport? The CBD is already pressed for space; therefore you could develop parking zones in outer areas and implement park-and-ride schemes. But would you consult motorists on the ideal areas for such zones or schemes? The same applies to public commuters, are they consulted in the installation of bus stops/termini or the creation of new bus routes?
In conclusion, assuming that the people want something will definitely not solve an issue, unless people are informed and educated about it, and are able to have their say. Nairobians must say what they want from their ideal city in order to appreciate it when it comes around!
I would suggest using the media to support you. For example, CCN could liaise with the FM breakfast shows to run a poll on “the Nairobi that people want” (this would be a refreshing change of topic from the usual debates on morality or lack thereof!) Or how about the Steadman group; may be for once they could stop focusing on divisive politics and help out the CCN by conducting a poll on the Nairobi that people would like to see. Alternatively, if you are looking for a cost-effective option, make use of the untapped resource of university students; many of whom would be willing to volunteer their time to help conduct a survey or process data.
This would then give you a prioritised to-do list for Nairobi, and in time…a better Nairobi for the people, by the people!
On a final note, promote the libraries and create more green spaces.
I look forward to doing my bit for the city.
Kind regards,
Miss MWK
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Dear Mr.Kisia,
I would like to commend you on the creation of this blog. I believe that CCN and the residents of Nairobi will greatly benefit from the interaction provided here.
I would like to point you and my fellow citizens towards a discussion about the role of science in urban planning and management.
It has been observed that a successful city is one founded on clear and sound plans. Plans to guide land use and overall development of the city.
It is my opinion that the preparation and implementation of such plans needs to be guided by science through research work conducted by our local universities. It is through such research that we can develop feasible plans that cater for the interest of the citizens. Further more, a scientific justification of proposed plans would elicit more public support and minimize conflict arising from irrational arguments.
With this in mind, i propose that CCN in conjunction with local spatial planning experts and local universities should prepare a land use model for the city of Nairobi or even better a Land-use transport interaction model. CCN should embrace Spatial Planning Decision Support Systems (SPDSS)to aid in management of the city. Examples exist of how local authorities have benefited from the application of such systems. Alongside this is the untapped potential of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technology.
I do understand that implementation of such technology will involve high initial capital, but this will be offset by the longterm benefits that will accrue.
A good starting point would be to examine a few best practice examples; for this bloggers are pointed to the city of Istanbul in Turkey,the City of Curitiba in Brazil among other examples available from online search engines.
Lastly, i would like to raise awareness among my fellow Kenyans about Land Use Planning. The Physical Planning Act cap.286 outlines the law governing physical planning as well as the roles of all the stakeholders. Similarly, there exists the Profession of Physical Planning also referred to as Town Planning. The role of such professionals is outlined in the above mentioned Law.Please take time to acquaint yourself with this.
We all have a role to play in making Nairobi a blessed and prosperous city.
Best Regards
JNG
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Hi Bwana Kisia and Team,
firstly to congratulate you on this initiative..i wish you all the best and i sincerely hope you succeed!
Mine is an observation regarding the state of roads within the estate..can we have a fresh layer of tarmac as opposed to patches when NCC staff are undertaking road repairs?! i am of the opinion that it might cost more in the short term but will translate into a savings in the from of reduced maintenance in the long term.
The other issue i have is in this error of going green their is a desperate need for Nairobians to recycle their waste...what plans do you have in place to enable us realize this as it will go along way to improving our environment as opposed to taking all our trash to a dump site.
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Dear Sir,
Excellent forum.
I reside in South B near Mater Hospital. Along the river, there is a rubbish dump, where huge amounts of rubbish paper, plastic, old tyres and whatever else is burnt all day, all night affecting the quality of air around the neighbourhood not to mention that some of the subtances produce toxic, cancer and disease causing subtances that may affect the lives and health of residents particularly young children. Can the Council stop this? Are there By Laws against open burning of rubbish? If not, can the Council enact such by laws as part of the overall strategy to deal with waste management?
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Great site. I like the way you explain everything without using complicated terms.
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Thanks for your encouraging remarks. We indeed need to simplify information for public consumption.
Philip Kisia
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good to have a blog. would like you to check on a plot in nairobi west kisauni road behind the nairobi west hospital. This used to be a playground for kids ,some 10yrs ago or so it was fenced. recently the fence was removed. but the place does not seem to be open for the public. could we have our playground/park back?
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Thanks for highlighting this anomaly to me. I have forwarded your complaint to the Director City Planning to establish the facts of the matter, in order to respond to the matter or take corrective action.
Philip Kisia
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thanks.
opposite the plot there is a small mosque. This was pavent/small road connecting kisauni road to the langata road. would like to know if the structure etc have been aproved!
is the new noise pollution already in effect? why do we have to hear tha azan? in fact i have a question on this. when i was young i remember that there were no loud speakers in the mosques,and am sure there is no mention of them in the hol book. so why cant they be removed? why do residents have to hear that everyday esp early in the morning? many will agree that this is disturbing.
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I have heard your concerns and will revert to you in due course.
The recent legislation on noise pollution was initiated by the ministry of environment and NEMA. Therefore, enforcement of the same falls under NEMA.
Philip Kisia
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any news ?
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jambo bwana Kisia,
thanks for the blog,will go a long way in improving the delivery of services from the council,this is a 1st for our city.
I reside along melewa rd just off juja rd and would like to bring to your attention that,this road runs pararel to juja rd and helps ease the jam on juja rd when there is a jam,but for your information i have never seen this road being graded or leveled for the 20yrs i have lived here,the road has big craters such that when it rains the craters fil with water such that even small cars get stuck.please send a grader for us.
my other concern is about lighting,could we have the road lighted,on the same line i wonder as to why juja rd has never been lighted apart from 100 meters at mlango kubwa,yet this is one of the major roads in nrb and yet all major roads ie.jogoo,ngong,outering,etc are lighted including non classified roads.could you please look into these issues.
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I do agree with you that Melewa Road contributes to reduction of the jam on Juja road. I have noted your concern on the state of disrepair of the road and lack of lighting on Juja road. I have forwarded this concern to the city engineer for consideration in our future capital projects. Thanks for your suggestions.
Philip Kisia
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Hi Philip,
The work you are doing for the City is commendable. Am not sure who is responsible for road next to Parklands Police station - there are some craters around the roundabout that are growing by the day - very dangerous to motorists. if this falls within your jurisdiction, please send your people to fill them up.
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Thanks for your observations on the state of the road next to Parklands Police station. I have forwarded the complaint to the city engineer for consideration and action.
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Philip,
I had the unpleasant experience of having to drive through eastleigh the area where there all these shopping malls have been built! I have never seen such chaos in my life!! sewage ridden excuse of roads, peoples setting up shops all over the pavements and on the roads! matatus stopping and turning at any place!! at one point i wondered if i was in Nairobi. With the kind of money that is circulating in Eastleigh, surely Philip something can be done about putting some order in the place. You need to visit the place one of these days and you wont believe what you will see. Please do something.
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Thanks for your valid observations. The infrastructure in Eastleigh is overburdened and remedial action needs to be taken urgently. This requires massive capital. Currently the Council has embarked on repairs of General Waruinge Street. I have asked the concerned directors to take appropriate action to address the concerns you have raised. However, all matters dealing with sewerage and water are the preserve of Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company. Thank you.
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kindly have a look at the broken water pipe on kisauni road/nairobi west. its damaging the road
thanks
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Thanks for your concern. All water matters are handled by Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company. However, the city engineer will be informed to take remedial measures to ensure the road is not damaged.
Philip Kisia
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the road is already damaged!
you are invited to visit all the roads of nairobi west, the car washers are damaging the road.
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philip, is anyone going to repair the road?
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Dear Mr. Kisia,
First and foremost i'd like to begin by saying that if we had 100 people like you in the public sector, Kenya would be twice far ahead as for where it is(compliment). You have does us (Kenyan's) proud by performing in the sectors that you have being posted. Namely the K.i.c.c that you transformed into a major international convention centre.
Mr. Kisia sir, am a resident of woodley estate and have a complaint to table for you and your team to help solve.
For the last three months, we have had a church move in and hire a section of the Joseph Kangethe social hall of which is an asset owned by your council. We respect the fact that the council needs to raise revenue to run and manage its operations and have no issue with the hiring of the grounds to the church, but an issue with the amount of disturbance caused by the church which is extremely inconvenent. The church has a p.a system that is extremely loud and does not take into consideration the time or day that the loud speakers are blasted. This being that they have kesha(all night prayers and song) Sunday services that begin very early in the early morning and run into a good part of the day, the weekday services that are run at anytime and the practise sessions by the groups that are all the time.
Am a church going and God fearing person myself and have really held or tried tolerating to this cause i was really confused by how God would take it if i complained of such an issue, but of late they've gotten louder and have even gone to the point of being rude to the neighbours that have asked them to tone down, letting me believe that if they arent considerate of those that the found around not even we should be considerate of them as well.
If you could kindly pay a visit to the sight or send a representative you would better be in position to evaluate for yourself and tell us if you think we are being unreasonable.
We now suffer from sleepless nights that leads us to being unproductive the next day a thing that i think this nation does not need.
Mr Kisia, please HELP US!
Regards,
Mike.
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Thanks for raising this matter with us. Making of noise is an offence under our general nuisance by laws. The complaint has been forwarded to the Division Commander, Dagoretti for action. In case the nuisance is not abated, the complainant should not hesitate to call the Divisional Commander of Dagoretti on 0721 790 382 and action will be taken.
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You have removed the bus stop where Ole Odume meets Ngong Road and not created a replacement. When it rains commuters have to drop off 300 meters ahead and walk back through mud. Kindly advise on the logic.
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The Council is consulting with the Ministry of Roads, that is currently involved in the rehabilitation of Ngong Road, to identify a replacement for the bus stop.
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I work at the City Planning department of the City Council.I wish to say that is proving so great to see how Nairobians are using this blog to generate ideas and issues on development issues of the City.I too commend the Town Clerk for such a briliant initiative to come up with this blog.
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Dear Mr. Kisia,
Nairobi does look good however, the people helping you in service delivery are going for months unpaid. it almost becomes an 8 to 5 job queueing waiting for our payments. please help us here. just like you we have families to feed rent to pay workers to pay . . . .
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I assure all our partners in service delivery that the Council is committed to making payments on services delivered. However, I have forwarded your concern to the City Treasurer for an appropriate feedback. Thank you.
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i appreciate ur comment
links of london
wow gold
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Mr Kisia, I am proud and appreciate what you are doing and especially all the messages you are responding to on this site. However, after forwarding the concerns raised on various issues to the relevant Departments of the Council, we are not getting a feed back on their outcomes, which ideally is what we are lookig for "What action has been taken by the Departments?" I wish, and I am sure I am not alone that they would respond like you are doing.
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Thanks for your encouraging remarks. The delay in responding to some of the issues has been inadvertent. I however take up your challenge on timely update.
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Dear Mr. Kisia,
Firstly, i wish to commend you on the efforts you and your council are spearheading. We are definitely moving in the right direction.
I have lived in Nairobi for just over 45 years now and have seen, experienced and appreciated the changes made as is normal in the development of any great city.
My areas of concern are two pronged,
a) Where are council askaris allowed to collect parking fees from? i've been recently accosted in residential/neighbourhood shopping areas & was unaware that this applied in my estate.
b) There is obviously a conspirancy between certain council askari's, tow truck owners and tow trucker employees (& sometimes hired "goons"). I say this because from my apartment window i witness a very intricate operation of extortion and outright abuse of power towards unwitting motorists along Wood Avenue and Lenana Road. The trucks pounce like zealots without any courtesy to advise of ones offense and their abrasive style suggests, it is easier to pay them than go to the impound.
I ask you Mr, Kisia, educate the public, put in paid adverts in the press, paint designated parking areas, increase signage of tow areas & have an inspection mechanism for tow trucks and the workers. As a law abiding resident, i think its futile to introduce many revolutionary and world class ideas in the CBD and then leave the residential and peri urban zones to the mercy of your askari's.
To conclude, i earlier today witnessed a gentleman being dropped off by his wife (not blocking any traffic) shocked when as they exchanged from seat to seat, a tow truck pounced and threatened him and his wife, the rest of the matter i leave to your imagination.
We are behind you 100% and request your guidance and action on this matter.
Thank you and Happy Holidays.
W.E. Hammond
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Motorists commit an offence when their vehicles cause obstruction, park on pavements and are left unattended, thus inconveniencing other road users. However, bribery is a criminal offence. In that regard, we have stepped up surveillance against this vice. I urge members of the public not to offer any bribe, but to immediately call the customer care desk on 0725 62 44 89, 0735 82 53 83 or 020 344 194, giving details of the registration numbers of the breakdown, the towed vehicle and the time of towing. Help us to manage this vice in the city.
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Thanks for the advise and Customer Care lines.
For your information and clarification the parking spaces outside the Yaya Centre have just been "taken over" by council askari's as designated council parkings.
Mr. Kisia, are we running a council in a banana republic? I agree decisions need to be made and perhaps your decisions are for the greater good of the city, but i insist that the manner and approach must reflect positivity & respect for social norms. Paying Kshs. 140 to go in an use the ATM at Yaya Centre is not only ludicrous but seems bent on destroying the goodwill and potential business opportunities for the commercial mall.
Please issue a comprehensive status on parking in residential and mall areas. (I seem to recall a similar situation at the Westgate Mall, which was subsequently reversed).
We await your guidance on this matter.
W.E. Hammond
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Thanks for airing your sentiments. I will get back to you in due course.
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The Council has designated and gazetted various locations where parking fees is charged. Details are available in our designated parking by laws. Similarly, I will also post the gazetted locations. Regarding the state of towing vehicles, the Council is developing standards for breakdown vehicles that will include inspection and licensing; and identification and demarcation of towing vehicles parking areas.
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Dear Kenyans,
My name is Mr. Jagi Gakunju and I Am the patron of one of Kenya’s oldest environmental organizations, Uvumbuzi. I’m writing to share with you ideas in support of urban transport policy that protects the health and safety of Kenya’s citizenry as well as Kenya’s environment.
Being at the forefront of healthcare in East Africa, I am very well acquainted with the terrible suffering inflicted by Kenya’s roads every day. Families are torn apart and property is destroyed senselessly in road accidents that grab our headlines. However, there is another greater and more subtle violence that vehicles are inflicting on us; one that is growing every day unseen in our hospitals and within our homes. This is the specter of air pollution and sedentary lifestyles and their devastating effects on human health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has calculated that 3 million people now die each year worldwide from the effects of air pollution. This is three times the 1 million who die each year in automobile accidents. We must realize that it is the choking clouds spewing from our trucks and matatus that are the number one killer on our roads and not accidents. Similarly, in 2002 the WHO stated, “In developed countries physical inactivity remains the second most important risk factor for ill health after tobacco smoking.” In Kenya’s auto-dominated cities, where walking and cycling are avoided we are surely realizing the same trend.
This brings me to my main point. There seems to be a mistaken belief amongst Kenya’s transportation professionals that urban Kenyans are not interested in cycling or walking. This is simply untrue. The reality is that both of these simple means of transport are avoided because in Kenya they are extremely unpleasant and dangerous due to poor infrastructure and a complete lack of enforcement of traffic regulations. By contrast, throughout the world’s thriving cities, walking and cycling are experiencing a renaissance via the leadership of smart urban planners. When made safe and enjoyable, walking and cycling provide the critical link to efficient and clean public transit and together create a transport system that makes the private car look unattractive. As s this happens, the air becomes cleaner, our citizens become healthier, the costs of healthcare decreases, quality of life increases, the environment is protected, and the economy becomes stronger.
As we all know, preventative healthcare is far cheaper than trying to cure ailments that have already been inflicted. Such is likewise true of our transportation infrastructure. Our investments today in a smarter transportation future that embraces pedestrians and cyclists will pay enormous dividends to our country tomorrow. For the future of Kenya and its citizens, I hope that your support to this course will make Kenya a country of the 21st century.
Regards,
Jagi Gakunju
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I appreciate your views on best practice in urban environmental management. At the moment the Council is incorporating non motorized concept of all its projects to ensure that pedestrians and cyclist are not inconvenienced. Once this is done in the entire city, we hope the health of the city residents will not be jeopardized.
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With Regard to your contribution, I think reclaiming and rehabilitating all grabbed public land where children can play and people can go for jogging in the mornings and evenings does not require any huge capital outlay or a concept paper.
I wish to add that recreation facilities in Nairobi are virtually non-existent.
Most sunday afternoond families gather in Uhuru park crowding it because it cannot longer cater for the high city population. Families hace resorted to most odd places to relax, like the Ryosambu roundabout!
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Thanks a lot for your comments. I accept that the popularity of Uhuru and Central parks, makes them overpopulated sometimes. Residents should also note that City Park, managed by the Council is a good recreation spot. Moreover, we shall lay out plans that the Council has in ensuring that recreation is brought closer to the city residents.
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I would like to appreciate the road works on-going along Argwings Kodhek and Gitanga roads, putting up bus stops along the busy roads. I am however not happy with what is happening along the rest of Gitanga Road. The area between James Gichuru and Amboseli Road junctions is a very busy drop-off and pickup point for both buses and matatus and yet there is no designated bus stop. Furthermore the Amboseli Road Junction was poorly designed with no turning radius. This causes a crazy snarl up during rush hours.
Thanks.
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Thanks for your support to the efforts of the Council in rehabilitating the infrastructure. I have noted your concerns on traffic management. I have forwarded your comments to the City Engineer for feedback.
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Dear Mr. Kisia,
My agent applied for subdivision of a parcel of land last year which took quite a while with lame excuses that our case not being put in the agenda. When it was finally slotted in and the issue discussed, the outcome was positive. It then went to the crucial stage of approval of form PPA 2. To date, we are still waiting. How long should it take for such processes to go through? Could it be that somebody expects us to grease his/her hands? Developers do not take this long to have their documents approved.
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Thanks for bringing this matter to my attention. I would be happy to receive the details for an informed response and action where necessary. Alternatively, you can call 0725 62 44 89, 0735 82 53 83 or 020 344 194 or email to info@nairobicity.go.ke.
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I request you to forward the land parcel number to enable us report on the status of the application. However, there are very few cases of approvals that were not cleared last year. The only approval; that were not cleared last year, are those who had not cleared rates for 2009. Kindly furnish us with details to enable us give an appropriate response.
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dear mr kisia,
kindly comment on the payments issue. till today we are queueing at city council waiting to be paid. please what is happening we really hope to hear from you
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Dear Mr. Kisia,
Am writing to you a disappointed supplier. I had earlier raised this on your blog that we queue at the council waiting for payment day in day out. We have collected garbage for the council, but we have not been paid. count months now oct, nov, dec waiting in line for a payment. We have since withdrawn our tracks and no longer wish to work for the council again. I wish to appeal to you we are many who are awaiting our payments in those halls. suerly am sure you would not want to go even a month without pay. what about us. bills are waiting, the same workers we have been using cant work anymore as there is no pay from your end. I had hoped this blog is a chance for you to help frustrated people to take up ideas and to work on them. to date i think you decided not to respond but responded to all others who had sent their comments to you. back to you Mr. Kisia
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We are currently paying all our current debts, as we come up with ways of financing payment of the old debts. I request for your patience as we embark on this. However, I thank you for your facilitation in our service delivery efforts.
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Phillip,
Wish to draw your attention to the filth of solid sewerage along Juja Road especially Mlango Kubwa area.
Frank.
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Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I have sent my public health team to assess the situation and compel the water company to take corrective action.
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The Public Health team has today issued a 24 hour notice to Nairobi Water and Sewerage Company to abet the nuisance, failure to which we shall take appropriate action.
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Phillip,
You keep refering us to the website www.nairobi.go.ke where we are treated to messages from Dick Wathika [Mayor] and John Gakuo [Town Clerk]. What development are we talking about if we are still living in the past? Put your act together fisrt.
Frank
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I understand your frustration Frank. However, our correct website is www.nairobicity.go.ke. Plans are underway to make the site more user friendly.
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Dear Mr. Kisia
The area around Nairobi West Shopping Center desperately needs its pedestrian spaces reclaimed. I hope there is a growing awareness that quality of life has something to do with quenching the arrogance of drivers who believe that every sidewalk and piece of green space is their personal parking lot. It’s pathetic that such a high potential piece of real estate with such a sensible basic layout has been reduced to nothing but a pig wallow of muddy, ill-tempered Prados. The neighborhood is full of children and young families who need open space and yet at its center is a place where no one wants to go without the protection of steel door panels and four-wheel drive. The few pedestrians that do find themselves there walk on the roads where they try to dodge the matatus and other reckless drivers.
The city has made great strides in regulating cars in the CBD and it would be a pleasant surprise if this were expanded to other high-traffic areas. The simple installation of bollards, never mind actual sidewalks, would go a long ways towards clarifying that pedestrians aren’t roadside refuse but actually the heart and soul of any public space. Lest we forget, cities are for people, not for cars.
Thank you for your time and your commendable efforts to hear the citizens' voices
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Thanks a lot for your positive contribution. I have forwarded your suggestion to the city engineer for thought and action.
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Hello sir,
appreciate your efforts. Now a bit of complaint. theres this muthaiti road in Nrb West and other tributaries around including Sumba, Niamey etc are real bad made worse by flooding when sewerage or rains. what is the vision for it? 2030 is too far
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Hello sir,
appreciate your efforts. Now a bit of complaint. theres this muthaiti road in Nrb West and other tributaries around including Sumba, Niamey etc are real bad made worse by flooding when sewerage or rains. what is the vision for it? 2030 is too far
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Thanks for pointing out the poor state of the said roads. I have forwarded the complaints to the City engineer for action.
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Thanks for your prompt reply. have you issued a directive? any timetable? i have a feeling its one of the worst in the diameter from City Hall.
we would appreciate prompt alleviation of our suffering.
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Hi, Why are there so many buildings (commercial/residential) coming up in Westlands and Parklands, yet the roads and amenities are still the same since independence.
What is being done about the Westlands roundabout,Mall roundabout,General Mathenge, Westlands Road traffic? The matatu termini in westlands has been abused. No one uses it instead a whole lane of the highway is occupied every single day causing jam. Further along near Kangemi flyover the vegetable market spills over onto the highway again blocking a whole lane and then customers park on the highway. Not to mention the muggers and thieves who at night hide behind the recently planted trees. This mess perpetuated by the ma3's and the market is a disaster waiting to happen. But when complaints are made its appears that the complainants are disturbing the honest hardworking wanainchi. But in town your officers harass shop owners with silly claims of tea making license etc etc. We pay trade license, ETR,water, elec, salries, security, parking, CHAI and rent. But I can make more money in a day selling stuff in these sokos. No expense at all. I think il park my car kesho near Uthiru flyover and start business. Anyone want to join. You tell me How can there be double standards in the council. Laws for different people or? Getting a rates certificate You ever tried that.. Walk in with as white man see how fast your served.. If your of any other colour just know your buying lunch. Its still the same rot no change.
I fell sick after eating at a posh restaurant 2weeks back (salmonella and ecoli poisoning) and i sent city council health inspectors to the place. I understand nothing happened once the owners 'talked' with the inspectors. In other countries samples of the food would have been taken and analyzed, lakini here lunch was bought and matter closed.
Have you passed the highway in the morning/eve and not had ur mirrors or lights stolen. Notice the many disabled groups begging. Do we not have centres to take care of them. Partner up with the corporates if you have no funds, but at least take care of these people many of whom are blind. What abt the 20 street families near Sarit and Westgate at 8pm to 4am every day?
Kudos to your park benches (we need more) your one way traffic causing roads, your arrogant and some racist staff ("toa lunch muindi huka na pesa") and your magical parking ticket attendants (never there when you want them, they just hide and wait till your clamped. Maybe with time as you get stuck in jams or your vehicle or family members is clamped or a trailer ploughs into the ma3s in westi or rambles into over 100 vegetable vendors and cars at kangemi or you or your friends empty your wallets to the huge number of street families, street urchins, mirror thieves, maybe then you will see what guys are actually complaining about. Other than that all the best and keep going strong
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Thank you for pointing out so many areas that require our attention. However, your incident on food poisoning is very serious. We would be eager to receive details on the restaurant and the public health officers to whom the matter was reported. Kindly furnish us with the details at info@nairobicity.go.ke
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I love this. Somewhere we can actually air our grievances and congratulatory messages to the people that matter. If only our MPs would be this serious! 2012 ni yetu!!!
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Hi Philip. You're working hard but you need to word even harder. Here are my brief points:-
In today's [Feb 9, 2010] Daily Nation, someone wants to change a plot in Ridgeways, Kiambu Road from Single Dwelling to Multi-Dwelling on LR 74/5 & LR 74/13.
As a resident of Ridgeways, where it is AGAINST COUNCIL BY-LAWS to build multiple dwelling units, AND/OR to sub-divide to less than 0.5 acres, I OBJECT strongly to this development.
It will lower the value of the area; we are not connected to the city sewer; we have major traffic [both vehicle and human] problems as people pass through Ridgeways from Thika Road.
Please Mr. Kisia, do not allow this or any other development like it. This is our home.
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Other issues:-
-> I think you need an sms service. Most of your citizens can't afford to make phonecalls to you.
-> Uhuru Highway trees and vegetation - please get it started. That is the hottest highway in the country and yet was once the coolest.
-> Street lights along Kiambu Road from Muthaiga Police Roundabout to Just after Kwaheri Road towards Kiambu - they have never ALL worked at the same time! What's up with that? May I supply you with solar powered street lamps, which have a light-sensitive sensor?
Along Garden Estate Road from Thika Road there are many new and strange establishments, lowering security in the area. The worst of them is right at the gate of King Castle Inn, at the corner where there is a murram road towards the left, that leads to Ridgeways Lane. There is a small village there that's not on sewer but on a reserve. There's also some garage works, and timber. Please clear for us.
Keep up the good work.
RAGZ
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Hi Philip
Thanks for your response. The plots along Kiambu Road that you should be looking at are LR 74/5 & LR 74/13.
Please check to mke sure they don't try building apartments here where it is not allowed. It is somewhere near or along Kiambu Road, in Ridgeways.
Ahsante.
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Mr. Kisia;
Some good work is being done by the City Council and for this CONGRATULATIONS. I am however worried about one contractor M/s Mwangaza who is doing street lighting on Kabarsiran Avenue off James Gichuru all the Way Kianda School. He did the work half way and stalled,its been over a year since work commenced. Please have someone check this issue and at the very least let Ms Mwangaza give the residents of that area some light. John
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Shikamoo Phillip?
Thanks for turning on some lights on City Hall.
I have enjoyed reading the notes from Kenyan's and hearing the many different ideas.
I grew up in Eastlands and I go there alot to visit friends and family, I had some ideas on how we can improve the housing in some of the very old and perhaps dangerous houses.
If City Hall would partner with private citizens ( present residents), and engage in construction of new flats in the places where the houses are old, its a win-win for all.
City hall would sell the houses to its tenants and perhaps attract another revenue stream from service charges etc.
The estates I'm referring to are like Jericho, Jerusalem,Maringo Uhuru, Bahati, ShauriMoyo etc.
Some of the buildings were built in the 1960's and from an incident in Jericho during the heavy rains, there are potential dangers, perhaps even structural weaknesses of these units.
The units are sitting on prime real estate.
The planning of the areas was done quite well and there are wide open spaces that can be used say to raise the first flats and allow residents to move in before pulling down the old units.
With the present costs of housing in Nairobi, City hall itself would in turn get alot of revenue from the sale of the units, this money can go rehabilitating \ improving the fire engines, health clinics, and other high impact social amenities.
So there is my 2 cents
"A half-baked idea is okay as long as it's in the oven".
Thanks Phillip! and all the best!
Regards,
Ken
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Thanks a lot for your insights on how housing in Eastlands could be redeveloped to meet the expectations of the City residents. I have already initiated plans for the renewal of Eastlands area. The concept is awaiting cabinet approval, before we can move ahead. Thanks for your suggestions.
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Ahsante Phillip.
Its just sad to see the quality of leaders we have in parliament, too bad your brilliant concept has to go through there.
Our politicians' priorities are elsewhere, not much to do with the welfare of Kenyan citizens.
I just wish there was another way,.. without cabinet. how sad
We keep trying,praying for real change, for good leaders.
For now, we need a revolution.
Ken
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Dear Mr Kisia,
I am Kenyan living and working in the UK. I missed last year's extended waiver of interest on land rates as none of the customer relations staff I spoke to could give me the exact amounts of what I owed. I was kept holding on the line on several occasions and at times got disconnected. I eventually asked a friend visiting Nairobi from Mombasa to try and get them for me which after knocking on several doors over 2 days was able to get outstanding rates for one of the properties. The second property was not found in your records and we have been advised to go to the lands office and start with a search.
I find the whole experience unbelievable especially as the City Council keeps talking of strengthening its revenue collection! I would very much like to clear rates for my 2 properties (I can supply the details if required) but I am not happy paying the interest rates in view of all I have gone and still going through.
Could you please look into this from me?
Thanking you in advance
Anne Kimani
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I am sorry about your predicament Anne. However, to enable me provide the necessary assistance, give me details of your property on info@nairobicity.go.ke. In due course we shall get rid of the mess on our rates records.
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Thank you Mr Kisia. I have forwarded the details on the email provided above.
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This is to notify the office of the town clerk that the council is losing a lot of money in Gikomba mkt, the council loses close to khs. 200000 on daily basis this mostly hapens with viecles the calpable officers who have are responsible for this are Thomas Muhia, vincent muhanji.Rose Gathumbi, Ben Ogola
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Thanks for your help in exposing this anomaly. Appropriate measures will be taken against the culprits, once our investigation is completed.
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Dear Phillip,
A couple ideas to make our fair city a more livable place:
1) Could we please do something about the localized air pollution of so many trucks and buses drenching us carcinogenic clouds of smoke? Nairobi is very progressive in its cigarette smoking laws that protect the public health, why can’t we take on the larger problem of vehicle emissions?
As I believe a previous commenter mentioned, worldwide 1 million people die every year in vehicle accidents while 1.5 million people die from vehicle air pollution. I can’t ride my bicycle on Nairobi’s roads two days in a row without getting a respiratory infection. We’re killing ourselves at the same time that we’re killing our vehicles by not maintaining them. This is a lose-lose scenario.
The law for rural vehicles in China (those with the dirtiest engines) is that visible exhaust is illegal. Simple. Why is it that the dirtiest vehicles in China are far cleaner than the vehicles plying Nairobi’s downtown streets? Could we take inspiration from China’s approach? A “visible exhaust” law doesn’t require any fancy equipment, just a pair of eyes.
2) Many cities, such as Mexico City, subsidize high-efficiency toilets and showerheads for new construction or even for retrofits of existing buildings. With all of Nairobi’s new construction, wouldn’t this be a simple measure that would save money and prevent future water rationing? KPLC is already doing this with light bulbs; let’s take it the logical next step. In Mexico City 350,000 new toilets saved enough water to supply 250,000 additional residences.
Thanks,
Andrew
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I do agree with you that the environment needs to be preserved. We shall explore the possibility of coming up with appropriate by laws to deal with this menace. Moreover, the Council accepts that water need to be preserved, and we shall take your views into consideration when developing planning policies.
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Dear Philip
Please switch on all the traffic lights on Uhuru highway we do not need the cops they cause more traffic.
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i concur - the traffic cops worsen the situation coz they tend to let one side go for longer periods in total disregard of the others espcially those from CBD.
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I have noted your comments and want to assure you that we are committed to improved management of traffic in the city.
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The Council shall take all necessary steps to enhance traffic management in the city.
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Dear Philip,
Please! Please! send your building inspectors to check out a storey building that is coming up in Githurai just before the roundabout as you come from Nrb. if nothing is done pretty fast it is going to collapse due to the shoddy work that is being done on the pillars. they also seem to be in a hurry to finish it without giving it the necessary duration before starting on the next floor.
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Thanks for the alert. Kindly send details on info@nairobicity.go.ke for my action.
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Good thinking Mr. Kisia, though managing the city waste,recarpeting the roads and managing matatu menace within NCBD have become too heavy a burden for you!City residents are also to blame....we've fly-overs which we do not use, we prefer shortcuts!
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Thanks for pointing out that we all need to work together to make this city better.
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