The Nairobi City County Assembly Planning Committee has launched a probe into illegal constructions and planning irregularities across the city.
According to Committee Chairperson Geoffrey Majiwa, there are numerous loopholes within the department, and some officers are not taking their responsibilities seriously.
“I can tell you this is the department with the most learned and wealthiest officers. With so many assistant directors, you are still telling us about imprests and lack of equipment. We are simply pointing out what is wrong with these officers,” Majiwa said.
He accused some county planners of facilitating illegal developments by colluding with rogue developers.
“You find a planner at a construction site taking bribes and advising the architect on what to tell inspectors. Director Achar should not be telling us about cartels without addressing officers within the Executive who are colluding to facilitate illegal buildings,” Majiwa added.
Planning CECM Patrick Mbogo told the committee that the department lacks the capacity and resources needed to effectively monitor developments across the city.
“We are doing the best with the resources available. For some activities, we have to borrow equipment. Some buildings are not habitable, but what we are saying is that we do not have adequate capacity,” Mbogo said.
Acting County Director of Planning Tom Achar also cited staff shortages and interference by cartels as major challenges facing the department.
“We are facing challenges from cartels, and I do not have enough officers or office space to operate effectively. That is part of the problem,” Achar said.
Areas under investigation include developments around UN Crescent, South C, Kilimani, Lang’ata, and several other parts of the city.
Committee Members also pressed County Officials to explain the approval processes undertaken by the Urban Planning Technical Committee.
