Real estate’s a job, not a hobby
NATION:“There’s a perception that with real estate, one can never go wrong,” he says. “Many people with spare money to invest fancy property because of its (perceived) hands-off approach when it comes to management.
Kara Monthly E-Newsletter: November 2016
Unpublished
|
Urban Development: Implementation of Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN) Begins
The Nairobi City County Government (NCCG) has embarked on implementation of the Nairobi Integrated Urban Development Master Plan (NIUPLAN) whose preparation was finalized in 2014.
Law on cities and towns planning to be amended, says CS Kaimenyi
The Star: Laws guiding the establishment of towns and cities will be amended to reflect the current realities, Lands CS Jacob Kaimenyi has said.
Tenants in old Nairobi County houses marked for Sh300b project to be compensated
The Standard: Residents living in houses that sit on land earmarked for the Sh300 billion Urban Renewal Project will be given money for alternative housing.
Transport: We need planned cities to cater for pedestrians and motorists
Most people would agree that Nairobi is one of the most pedestrian-unfriendly cities in the world.
Sustainable Development Goals: Government challenges to invest in public awareness and education
The 51st edition of the Kara Bi-monthly Talk Series (BTS) forum was held on 11th October 2016 on the theme: Understanding Sustainable Development Goals and expected impact on Kenya’s development.
Kara Expo: Have you registered for Kara Business Expo & Conference?
Preparations to host the KARA Business Expo & Conference on November 25 – 27, 2016 at the Sarit Center, Nairobi, are at an advanced stage.
Kara nominated to be a member of taskforce on enhancing better service delivery
Kara has been nominated to be part of a taskforce to be appointed by the Governor to engage Nairobi City County Government in finding solutions to the challenges facing businesses and residents of Nairobi.
KARA Receives Presidential Award for Promoting Tax Awareness & Education
The Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) is honoured to be among the Presidential Awardees during the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Taxpayers’ Day 2016.
Kara to lead stakeholders’ consultation on Bus Rapid Transit system development
Plans are underway to develop a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Nairobi in order to improve the quality of public transport provision and enhance social mobility of those that live and work in the City.
Residents Associations resolve to back Kara in pushing for implementation of the new Neighbourhood Associations Engagement Act
Representatives of Residents Associations who attended the Kara Chairpersons’ forum held on 27th September 2016 resolved to support Kara
National Land Commission to collaborate with Kara on Public Land Management
The National Land Commission (NLC) will work with Kara to address various challenges affecting management of public land, especially open spaces within neighbourhood.
Invitation to Bus Rapid Transit System Stakeholders Meetings
As you may be aware, the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a locally appropriate means of improving the quality of public transport provision in many cities around the world.
Kara Monthly E-Newsletter: September 2016
Unpublished
|
Nairobi City County Government has enacted a law that provides a framework for structured and effective engagement between Residents Associations and the County Government. The formulation of the Nairobi City County Community and Neighbourhood Associations Engagement Act, 2016 was initiated by KARA in response to lack of a legal and strong engagement mechanism between Residents Associations and the County Government. The Act was published on Friday, 26th August 2016 and shall come into operation upon expiry of ninety (90) days from the date of its publication. While some of the provisions Kara pushed for were not included in the final law, we are nonetheless pleased that its enactment is a step in the right ...
The key to stemming unchecked growth lies with local residents’ groups
Nation: After living in Zimmerman for most of his life, Mr Dennis Gatune, an IT manager with a city-based firm, decided to move out after seeing the estate decline drastically.
Governor Kidero promises to strengthen stakeholders’ engagement in service delivery agenda
KARA participated in Nairobi Governor’s round table meeting with Business Membership Organizations (BMO) where various service delivery issues were discussed.
Prof. Judi Wakhungu, Environment Cabinet Secretary urges partnership with Residents Associations to create awareness on Electro Magnetic Frequency
The Cabinet Secretary for Environment and Natural Resources Prof. Judi Wakhungu has called on mobile phone operators and relevant Government agencies to partner with Residents Associations in creating awareness regarding the effect of Electro Magnetic Frequency (EMF) emanating from Base Transceiver Stations (BTS).
Law to strengthen Residents Associations collaboration with Nairobi County Government enacted
Nairobi City County Government has enacted a law that provides a framework for structured and effective engagement between Residents Associations and the County Government. The formulation of the Nairobi City County Community and Neighbourhood Associations Engagement Act, 2016 was initiated by KARA in response to lack of a legal and strong engagement mechanism between Residents Associations and the County Government. The Act was published on Friday, 26th August 2016 and shall come into operation upon expiry of ninety (90) days from the date of its publication. While some of the provisions Kara pushed for were not included in the final law, we are nonetheless pleased that its enactment is a step in the right direction and provides an opportunity for Residents Associations to have more say on how decisions (especially on planning) affecting them are made. The specific objectives of the Act are to:
- Establish a legal framework for the engagement, promotion and facilitation of community and neighbourhood associations in their support and co-operation with the county government in the delivery of services.
- Enhance public participation in the decision making by the County Government especially with regard to service delivery and thus give effect to Article 10 of the constitution
- Recognize and facilitate community and neighborhood initiatives in complementing County Government Services, including in security, waste management, water and sanitation
- Establish a recognition framework for the community and neighborhood associations
- Provide for the competencies and responsibilities of the neighborhood initiatives and associations
- Strengthen capacities of associations to enforce regulations aimed at enhancing service provision.
Some of the key highlights of the Act include:
- The County Government shall enter into recognition agreement with Resident Associations aimed at enhancing the role of the Associations in monitoring compliance with the County planning regulations and zoning requirements in respect of their neighborhood; protection of public utility land and recreational facilities; management of garbage collection and payments.
- The County Government in consultation with the Residents Associations may delineate respective zones within the County which shall be recognized as areas of the respective neighbourhood associations.
- The County Government shall at least twice a year convene a forum of Residents Associations to discuss County Government programmes of interest to the residents.
- Where two thirds of members of an Association pass a lawful resolution under the mandate of the Association, the resolution shall be binding to the rest of the members within the Association.
- The County Government may grant waivers on rates, fees and other charges due to it from members of an Association that have successfully implemented recognition agreement entered into with the County Government.
- The County Government may enter into agency arrangements with any Association for the purpose of providing services.
KARA intends to actively engage the County Government to ensure that the Act is effectively implemented and input from Residents Associations reflected in decisions affecting them. We will also do continuous review of the Act and where necessary propose amendments after expiry of six months from the date of publication of the Act. In the meantime, we are working on a national Residents Associations Bill that will address the interests of Residents Associations across the country.
Business Expo: Have you registered for the Kara Business Expo & Conference?
Preparations for the Kara Business Expo and Conference slated for November 25-27, 2016 at the Sarit Center are on course.
