The Kisii county government is working on a 10-year spatial plan that will spur economic growth and promote sustainable development in the county. The plan, which will be finalized in October this year, will ensure optimal utilization and management of natural resources, promote habitable human settlement and ensure proper use of available resources to spur diverse economic development.
Speaking after a stakeholder validation exercise in a hotel in Kisii town, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Grace Nyarango said the plan will also promote prudent environmental management and conservation for sustainable development. "The spatial plan will guide the provision of appropriate and adequate infrastructure to support social economic development alongside enhancing connectivity for internal and external movement," added Nyarango. The CECM pointed out that the plan will be beneficial to the residents as it will spell out the structure of the county, mark zoning and identify how to manage the available spaces. The County Director for Physical Planning Patrick Achoki said that once the spatial plan is finalized, Kisii will be the 13th county to have the plan.
Achoki noted the plan examines the county in terms of human settlement, departments and resources as well as issues facing each sector, and come up with proposals on how the issues can be addressed. "Our consultant, GeoDev Kenya Limited, is engaging technical experts in all departments, interacting with stakeholders in all levels across the 45 wards to ensure that residents have a say on the issues affecting them in terms of agriculture, environment, water and infrastructure among other major areas," he said.
The Director confirmed they had drafted a summarized spatial plan which the consultant had presented to the stakeholders, including the members of Kisii County Assembly, CECMs and Chief Officers, for feedback. Achoki noted the plan is not only a requirement by the county government act and various legislation organs, but also a constitutional requirement which directs that land and spaces occupied must be planned.
