In Summary
- The Nairobi City County Assembly Planning Committee has launched a probe into development approvals and projects undertaken over the past year.
- The exercise seeks to align ongoing developments with approved planning policies and ensure compliance with existing regulations.
- Planning Department officials are expected to appear before the Committee next Wednesday to explain the approval process and ongoing developments across the city.
The Nairobi City County Assembly Planning Committee has launched an inquiry into development approvals and projects undertaken across the city over the last year as part of efforts to enhance accountability and compliance within the planning sector.
Committee Chairperson Geoffrey Majiwa said the exercise is aimed at ensuring ongoing developments conform to approved planning policies and existing regulations.
“We held a meeting today to take stock of what has been happening in the department. However, we could not conclude the session because most of the senior officers were absent. The Chief Officer and the CEC Member, who are key officials in this department, were engaged elsewhere outside Nairobi. They have requested to appear before the Committee next Wednesday so that we can comprehensively address issues surrounding development approvals granted over the last one year,” said Majiwa.
He emphasized that the Committee will fully exercise its constitutional oversight mandate under Article 185 of the Constitution to ensure transparency and accountability in the planning department.
“Every corner of this city has representation, and our role is both representation and oversight. We are carrying out oversight across all parts of Nairobi to ensure accountability. Going forward, I want to assure Nairobi residents that it will not be business as usual. Things must change, and they must be done the right way,” he said.
Majiwa further noted that the Committee is committed to safeguarding the interests of legitimate investors who follow due process in obtaining development approvals.
“We must also protect the interests of investors who spend heavily on approvals so that they can realize returns both now and in the future,” he added.
The County Planning Department’s top officials are expected to appear before the Committee next Wednesday to shed light on development approvals issued over the past year and explain the status of ongoing projects across the city.
