Partnership with Resident Associations & Implementation of Planning Laws Key to Addressing Urban Development Challenges
The recent documentary regarding the faded glory of the once enviable Buru Buru estate is a classical example of what happens when there is total disregard of physical planning laws and regulations.
Kara Monthly E-Newsletter: April 2016
Unpublished
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Kara held a meeting with the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development and Ministry of Health earlier in the year at which it was agreed that the engagement between Kara and the Ministries will be strengthened and streamlined. To realize this goal, the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development has appointed Mr. Moses Gatana as the liaison person specifically tasked with handling Kara matters and ensuring that appropriate action is taken in a timely manner.
The 6th edition of the 3-days Kara training workshop for County leaders took place on the 16th-18th March 2016 in Nairobi. The focus of the training was on County Human Resources Performance Management for Better Service Delivery and it was attended by members of County Public Service Boards from Mandera, Wajir, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Uasin Gishu and Kwale Counties.
Kara was pleased to be part of the Annual General Meeting for North Coast Rate Payers & Resident Association (NCRRA) and Ngei II Langata Residents Association. Kara CEO Mr. Henry Ochieng addressed the NCRRA meeting and interacted with members on a range of issues that are of interest to North Coast residents. He challenged participants at the meeting to support the Association by participating in its activities and paying the necessary subscription as this will make it stronger in advocating for their interest. He advised the Association to actively engage the County Government in a structured way and push for better service delivery. Mr. Ochieng pointed out that due to lack of proper legal framework, Associations have challenges in enforcing their resolutions but this is being addressed through the ongoing push for a Residents Association Act.
Kara Signs MOU with KK Security Limited
KARA Chief Executive Officer Henry Ochieng and KK Security Group Sales & Marketing Manager Bill Lay exchange documents after signing a memorandum of understanding.
National Cohesion: Kenya is at its worst security index – NCIC Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo
According to The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Chairman Mr. Francis Ole Kaparo, Kenya is at its worst cohesion index just few months to the general elections.
Kenya Government has embraced public private partnerships to ensure safer streets for all by design
Streets comprise more than 80% of public space in most cities, but in most cases, there are no provisions for space where people can safely walk, cycle, drive and socialize.
Kara Press Statement on The Burning of Syokimau Administration Police Post
The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) condemns in the strongest terms possible the burning of the Syokimau Administration Police post by hooligans.
Teach cohesion in schools, Kaparo proposes
THE PEOPLE: National Cohesion and Integration Commission is consulting the Ministry of Education on possibility of introducing peace and cohesion subjects in schools in a bid to unite the nation.
Biggest political tussles of 2017 will be at county level, warns Kaparo
THE STAR: The biggest political tussles in 2017 will be at county level as governors and MCAs wield powers no one had before, the NCIC has said.
NCIC: Kenya at its worst peace index
THE STANDARD: According to the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), this is the worst division to be witnessed in the country a year to a General Election.
Press Release: KARA Response to FY2016/2017 Budget
FY2016/17 Budget Estimates as read by the Cabinet Secretary, Henry Rotich will lead to difficult economic times for the ordinary Kenyan.
Technology: Kara in partnership with Safaricom Ltd on use of technology to enhance security
Kara has partnered with Safaricom Ltd to provide platforms for the public, experts and government to discuss and share ideas on how best to address various security challenges in Kenya.
Q&A with Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Mr. Bob Collymore
- Safaricom has maintained the enviable position of the most profitable company in East and Central Africa. What is the secret for the runaway success in a sector where other players seem to be faltering?
Invitation to Stakeholders Forum on Complete Streets & Urban Design Guidelines
The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations in partnership with the Center for Sustainable Urban Development of Columbia University has organized a stakeholders forum on "Safer Streets for All by Design:
KARA-KRA Residents Dialogue Forum on Tax Amnesty for Rental Income Campaign
Jubilee wants Cord to pay for property destroyed in demos
NATION: The Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) wants Cord leaders to compensate owners of property that was lost or destroyed during Monday’s protests in Nairobi.
Kenya's public spaces must be protected from individuals with selfish interests
Public spaces such as children playgrounds, community centres, parks, high streets play a vital role in the social life of communities.
90-day Ultimatum issued to unapproved building owners in Nairobi to get permits
Owners of the more than 50,000 buildings in Nairobi that were constructed without City Hall approval have three months to seek fresh permits for their property or risk demolition. Governor Evans Kidero said the law, offering a window to those who built without the county's nod, was passed last year but many developers have failed to take advantage of it.
“Buildings especially those in Embakasi, Roysambu and Ruai were constructed without approval. Probably, the owners did not have required documents,” said Kidero. “We are giving such developers 90 days to look for architects and apply to us so that we can check the integrity of their houses and give approval. If they fail we will bring them down,” said Kidero.
The Nairobi City County Regularization of Development Bill was signed into law last September. The governor's directive comes nine days since the collapse of a six-storey building in Huruma estate, killing 49 people; 140 were rescued from the rubble of the block that crumbled following heavy rains in Nairobi.
A number of high-rise buildings especially in Eastlands were built without the county’s approval. The main reason given was that the owners did not have title deeds and only held share certificates from land-buying companies.
The law has previously stipulated that one must hold a title to have their projects approved and issued with a development permit. “Teams have been formed to look at the applications (from developers) and vet them. We’ll accept post-facto (retroactive) approval for post-development drawings,” said Kidero.
"Structurally sound buildings will be approved while those with minor defects will have to be altered according to the advice of vetting engineers," the governor said.
The county boss also said that three of the seven buildings earmarked for demolition in Huruma estate have been brought down and the remaining will follow this week.
Source: The Star-> http://ow.ly/mZHp3001Jjz
Kara Chairperson’s Forum: NEMA challenged by residents associations to enhance its effectiveness
As part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with members and provide platform for sharing ideas on diverse service delivery issues, Kara periodically organizes Residents Associations Chairpersons’ Forum.
Kara AGM 2016: New faces join Kara Governing Council
The Kara Annual General Meeting (AGM) was successfully held on 29th April 2016 at the secretariat offices. Besides the traditional agenda items, the meeting unanimously endorsed Messrs Paul Oyier, Arthur Namu and Ms. Natasha Njee to fill up the vacant positions in the Council.
Substandard Buildings: Q&A with the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Land, Housing & Urban Development
Following the incident of a building that collapsed in Huruma estate and many other cases of substandard buildings across the country, Kara sought the views of Prof. Paul Mwangi, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Works at the Ministry of Land, Housing & Urban Development. Below is the response from the PS.
