Financing urban infrastructure development and maintenance with particular reference to Nairobi
Nabutola, Wafula
At its third sitting between June 24th, and 25th, 2005 the National Economic and Social Council of Kenya, (NESC) discussed the development challenges posed by deep-seated inadequacies in Kenyaas Infrastructure sector. It was concluded that the condition of infrastructure in Kenya today is the worst it has ever been since Political Independence in 1963. The extent of deterioration in Kenyaas roads, railways, ports, energy sector, telecommunications, water and sanitation, and public buildings is by now well-known and may not need a detailed exposition. To put the matter in perspective however, it may be necessary to record the highlights of this unsatisfactory state: - 47 percent of our classified roads (63,000km) is unserviceable, needs reconstruction. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is now handling nearly twice the passenger and cargo traffic that it was built for. - Kenya Railways revenue per km-tonnage fell from KShs3.20 in 2000 to Kshs 2.17 in 2003, due to lack of equipment and poor maintenance. - Kenya Telekom the national landline monopoly is saddled by inefficiency and old technology that has given Kenya the highest costs of international telephony in the region. - Despite much progress recently, the rate of national access clean water is rated at 57percent, and that of sanitation at 86percent - Some 68 percent of Kenyans depend on wood-fuel for energy; only 9percent have access to electricity. Energy costs facing industry are higher than those of Kenyaas competitors. - The supply of approved housing is way below demand; 60percent of Nairobiis residents live in slums. This is true of all the major urban areas in Kenya. Service delivery is the cornerstone of city governance and includes access to water, trash collection, solid waste disposal, wastewater collection and treatment, and electricity connection. The reliability, quality and cost efficiency of equitable services to all areas of the city wealthy and poor is the primary responsibility of local government, and is the most tangible result for which the community will hold their elected officials accountable.
Event: 5th FIG Regional Conference for Africa : Promoting Land Administration and Good Governance
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