Sakaja faces scrutiny over the county regeneration project

The Nairobi County government is facing key questions over its ambitious Urban Regeneration project with Senators calling on Governor Johnson Sakaja to halt the project until all stakeholders are fully engaged in the process.

Their demand follows reports that residents of Jericho Estate have opposed the use of a section of their land for the construction of housing units under the Urban Renewal initiative.

Speaking before the Senate Roads, Transport, and Housing Committee, chaired by Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, Governor Sakaja defended the project, emphasizing that public participation has taken place in all affected areas.

The Nairobi City County has partnered with private developers to build thousands of housing units as part of an urban regeneration initiative.

According to the county, once completed, the units will be allocated to long-time residents of the estates, while others will be available for rent or purchase.

The estates targeted for redevelopment include Pangani, Jeevanjee, Bahati, Maringo, Bondeni, Woodley, and Ziwani.

Under this program, the county government provides the land, while private developers finance the construction, with the two parties sharing the units based on agreed percentages.

Sakaja assured the committee that they had conducted public participation in several areas of the city.

"In all areas, we conducted public participation and explained the need to expand housing. In Woodley, for example, we compensated residents with Sh900,000 each to relocate temporarily and return once the new houses are ready. I will personally conduct public participation with the residents of Jericho,” said Sakaja.

Residents of Jericho expressed concerns about how they would benefit from the project, arguing that the county government had not conducted sufficient public engagement.

“In the report you have submitted, Jericho residents have rejected this project, and you have yet to reach an agreement with them. Why not halt construction until proper public participation is conducted?” questioned Sifuna.

In response, the Nairobi Governor emphasized that the urban regeneration and renewal initiative is aimed at modernizing housing and addressing the needs of the city’s growing population.