Department of Lands & Physical Planning and Urban Development.

The Kajiado County Government, through the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing Urban Development and Municipalities convened an induction meeting for the newly constituted Physical and Land Use Planning Forum.

The forum brought together several County Executive Committee Members (CECMs), including those responsible for Water and Natural Resources, Roads and Infrastructure, Finance, and Lands and Physical Planning. Also in attendance were the Chair and Vice Chair of the County Assembly’s Lands Sectoral Committee, as well as directors from the Department of Lands.

The primary objective of the meeting was to orient forum members on their roles and responsibilities, with particular emphasis on their mandate to guide land management and county land use planning.

The forum was officially constituted and gazetted by the CECM for Lands.

This initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the European Union (EU) through the Digital Land Governance Programme (DGLP) It forms part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen land governance and promote inclusive consultation in the management of land and natural resources.

The Kajiado County Government, through the Department of Physical Planning, Urban Development, and Municipalities, held an induction meeting for the newly constituted Physical Planning and Land Use Planning Liaison Committee at Tumaini Gardens Hotel.

The main objective of the meeting was to familiarize committee members on their roles and functions, particularly their mandate to guide land use planning and address public concerns related to planning matters.

The committee was officially constituted and gazetted by the CECM for Lands and comprises representatives from key professional bodies, including the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK), and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).

This initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) through the Digital Land Governance Programme (DLGP), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance land governance and participatory planning processes in Kajiado County.

KAJIADO SEEKS TO BOOST LAND RATES REVENUE AS REFORMS TAKE SHAPE.

Kajiado County is seeking to boost its Own Source Revenue from rates charged from land and property.

In a meeting to review the performance of the Land Rates Revenue stream today, senior land revenue officers took stock of the target performance and crafted new strategies to improve payment of the rates by land and property owners.

In the review, Kiserian Station emerged the top land rates office followed by Kajiado town office.

Kitengela took third position followed by Ngong, Namanga, Isinya,Matasia, Oloitokitok, Sultan and Mashuuru, respectively.

Four members of staff; Evalyne Ketukei, Brian Sayianka,Julius Koress and Nicholas Lekanayia were recognized for surpassing their targets; Ketukei, for instance achieved a 154% performance.

The meeting which was attended by the acting County Secretary, Dr Leina Mpoke, and the Director General of Revenue, Vera Moraa, also identified the various challenges encountered during the Financial Year and developed strategies aimed at further improvement going forward.

The Land Rates Revenue stream is under the stewardship of Philip Murkuku and Timayo Moinket.

Kajiado County's development budget hits 33%, surpassing the minimum 30% required by law.

The Kajiado County Assembly has approved a Sh 13 Billion budget for the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

The Assembly adopted the Budget and Appropriations Bill for the forthcoming Year, moved by the Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman, James Kuya Nina.

In a new focus on a more people-oriented budget, Sh 4 Billion, which is 33 % of the budget, will drive a massive development plan across the County. This is more than the minimum 30% required by the law.

Hon Kuya, the Kimana MCA, said the crucial milestone allows the county to utilize public funds to enhance service delivery and drive development initiatives across our county.

The budget was transmitted to the County Assembly by the CEC in charge of Finance and Economic Planning, Alais Kisota.

The budget ensures a balanced approach that meets both immediate needs and long-term goals for sustainable development.

The budget reflects extensive deliberations and engagements with various stakeholders, including public hearings, sectoral committees, and consultations with County Executive Members and officials.

These efforts ensure that the budget aligns with the priorities and aspirations of Kajiado residents.

WAY NOW CLEARED FOR
CONSTRUCTION OF KAJIADO COUNTY HEADQUARTERS.

Construction of the new Administration complex that will house the County Government Headquarters will now start any time from now.

This evening, the County Executive Committee Members (CECM) for Roads Michael Semera , Hamilton Parseina (Lands) Leah Mariahs (Trade) along with their Chief Officers,Tonic Moraa ( Trade), Ngao Nzuki ( Works), and County Investment Authority CEO, Dickson Sitei, convened a consultative meeting to discuss the construction of County Headquarters.

Governor Joseph Ole Lenku remains committed to ensuring that the residents of Kajiado County receive reliable County Government services.

The construction of these offices will commence next week after the ground breaking that will be graced by the Governor.

The mega project will also create many job opportunities for the youth and many other stakeholders in the construction industry.

Stakeholders move in to salvage wildlife rights and livelihoods in Rombo land crisis.

Local and international partners have moved in to safeguard wildlife rights and secure livelihoods in Kajiado South following a brewing controversy over land rights in the region.

Kajiado South is one of the most productive parts of Kajiado County where crop and livestock production are predominant activities.

The catchment is around the Kilimanjaro and the Tsavo National Park ecosystems that top the list of critical natural resources for local communities.

The rivers and canals from the mountain together with adequate rains fuel crop farming.

The Tsavo provide reprieve to pastoralists especially during drought.

Unfortunately, this harmony is under threat particularly in Rombo area as a result of the raging Rombo Group Ranch land dispute.

Animal passage has been blocked by private investors while rivers and canals are diverted or blocked.Common resources are being converted to private use.

The Food and Agriculture Organization ( FAO Kenya )
through the Digital Land Governance Programme (DLGP) has stepped in to facilitate a County led Taskforce to resolve the dispute through Alternative Justice System( AJS).

Earlier today, members of the taskforce which is chaired by Mr Alex Kilowua, a Kajiado County minister, visited disputed areas of Inkiito,Elerai and Njukini in undertaking a reconnaissance as they gear up to prepare final report.

The report is expected to recommend ways in which the local communities land rights and ownership can be reclaimed as well as safeguarding the wildlife rights.

Rombo land task force now meets Oloitokitok DCC.

The task force set up by Governor Joseph Ole Lenku to probe the dealings of the controversy ridden Rombo Group Ranch has held a sitting with the National Government Administration Officers( NGAO) in Oloitokitok Sub County.

The taskforce chaired by Health CEC Member, Alex Kilowa, FAO representative paid a courtesy call to Oloitokitok Deputy County Commissioner ( DCC), Antony Macharia and briefed him on the emerging issues at the group ranch.

The task force shed light on their field visits and fact finding mission at Inkito , Elerai and along the Kajiado-Taita Taveta border.

The Taskforce is expected to hand its report to the Governor soon.

The Kajiado, Ngong and Kitengela municipalities have witnessed unprecedented growth over the years. The growth estimated at 6% year has increasingly exerted pressure on existing amenities. Critical infrastructure such as roads, markets, water and waste management have been stretched. Agriculture, which is the largest land use has also been impacted and production does not meet the food demand particularly in these municipalities. Human and natural activities have escalated degradation of the environment and natural resources and as such slowing down progress made on addressing the climate change scourge.

As an initial step of addressing these challenges, the county government of Kajiado and the municipalities’ boards with generous financial and technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the European Union (EU) through the Digital Land Governance Programme (DLGP), is currently preparing the municipalities Integrated Development Plans (IDePs).

The IDePs are expected to assist the municipalities create a strategic thinking on planning necessary to deliver an integrated and coordinated projects and programmes that generate significant development impact and multiplier effects across the various sectors. Notably the IDePs will also guide the municipalities to roll out programs that promotes sustainable developments in urban service delivery which include effecient transport ,better housing,provision of water agricultural produce, value addition, market linkages and infrastructural development among others. The World Bank’s Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP) further requires beneficiary municipalities prepare IDePs as a precondition for funding.

The Kajiado, Ngong and Kitengela are expected to receive over Ksh 1 billion once the IDePs are completed.

Governor Lenku ~ In a grand breakthrough of our fair justice system; and in consultation with the office of the County Commissioner Jude Wesonga and area MCA Hon .John Loisa, we have finally resolved the 50 year old land dispute in Oloomunyi, Dalalekutuk Ward.

We are alive to the facts of the Oloomunyi land crisis that, among other things, saw a public school constructed on private land.

There are several other nitty gritties that will be ironed out to finally put the land matter to rest.

I am elated that tension in the area has come down and all the parties concerned are satisfied with the joint efforts of both the County Government and the National Government.

We are determined to resolve as many land disputes as possible and enable land owners to settle and make them more economically productive.

Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has this morning held a consultative meeting with the Task force probing the issues surrounding Rombo Group Ranch in Kajiado South.

The taskforce chaired by Health CEC Member, Alex Kilowua, briefed the Governor on the emerging issues at the controversy-ridden group ranch.

They highlighted on their field visits and interviews with complainants including a public forum at Orgira.

The Task Force is set to complete its report in a few weeks.

Other members of the task force include;

1. Julius Marao ( Chief Officer, Lands & Physical Planning) : Secretary

2. Grace Saitoti (Chief Officer, Water Services)

3.Naomi Parinkoi (Chief Officer, Administration)

4. Rosemary Turere (County Solicitor)

5.Jonathan Oseur (County Land Registrar)

6. Joshua Lemaikai( County Surveyor.