The Council of Governors (CoG) Lands, Housing and Urban Development Committee organized an induction workshop for Chief Officers in charge of Lands, Housing and Urban Development from 8th – 12th May 2023 at Pride Inn, Mombasa County. Also in attendance were representatives from the State Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN) and the National Construction Authority (NCA) among others.
“This induction workshop is key in appraising the County Chief Officers on their roles and responsibilities and provides an opportunity to take stock of the gains made and challenges encountered in the sector,” noted the Director Committees, CoG Mr Kizito Wangalwa while making opening remarks on behalf of the CoG CEO Ms Mary Mwiti.
The County Chief officers were taken through topical issues including; implementation of the National Urban Agenda; policies and legislations in the land, housing and urban development sectors; Affordable housing; County planning frameworks; integrated Planning for Inclusive & Resilient Urban Areas; intergovernmental relations and key projects and programmes in the sectors including the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP), the Digital Land Governance Programme under FAO and the Kenya Urban Support Programme ll (KUSP ll).
“We will continue to support County Governments and work in collaboration with all actors in this space to improve food and nutrition security and transform land governance in Kenya,” said Ms Husna Mbarak, Programmes Manager, FAO.
The 5-year Digital Land Governance programme is envisaged to strengthen the security of tenure and ensure equitable access to land and natural resources for the enhancement of livelihoods and sustainable socioeconomic development. In this regard, FAO in collaboration with the CoG is conducting capacity building on digital land governance, management of community land, County spatial planning, valuation Roll and property rating in all Counties across the country.
Speaking during the induction workshop, Chairperson County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) caucus for lands, housing and urban development Mr Raymond Kinyua underscored the need to work together to address the challenges plaguing the sector and leverage on the opportunities therein.
“The KUSP II targets 77 municipalities countrywide compared to the KUSP I where only 59 municipalities were involved. I urge the additional 18 municipalities to work with the Council to ensure that they meet the minimum conditions set out to benefit from the programme,” he added.
Counties were further urged to develop County Spatial Plans (CSP) in line with the National Spatial Plan to guide the County’s socioeconomic development including the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). 10 years into devolution, only 12 Counties have approved CSPs.
As the induction workshop came to a close, Chief officers elected their caucus leadership as follows: Chair: Francis Lekalasimi of Isiolo County; Vice Chair: Cathra Abdi of Turkana County; Secretary: James Mbae Karuku of Tharaka Nithi County; Treasurer: Catherine Changwony (CO Nakuru); Housing & urban development Champion: Cleophas Okioi of Kisii County; Physical planning Champion: Judy Leah of Nyandarua County.