Kajiado County is on the verge of expanding its municipal network with the proposed establishment of three new municipalities. The planned municipalities are Namanga in Kajiado Central, Kenyawa Poka in Kajiado East, and Oloitokitok in Kajiado South. This move aims to bring urban planning and essential services closer to residents while providing a structured framework for managing rapidly growing settlements. Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku received a report from a committee appointed four months ago to assess the viability of establishing the three municipalities.
The committee, chaired by Perpetua Mutindi, evaluated the requirements provided under the law and recommended the formation of the three municipalities. Governor Lenku stated that the recommendations mark the beginning of a new journey towards bringing development closer to the people. The proposed municipalities are expected to strengthen urban governance and provide a structured approach to planning, infrastructure development, service delivery, and management of growing settlements.
The establishment of the three municipalities would bring the number of municipalities in Kajiado County to six. Currently, the county has three municipalities: Kitengela, Ngong, and Kajiado Town. Kitengela has experienced rapid residential, commercial, and industrial development due to its proximity to Nairobi. Ngong has undergone significant urban expansion, while Kajiado Town serves as the county's administrative headquarters.
The move comes as several urban centers in Kajiado experience rapid population growth and increased demand for housing, roads, water, sanitation, and other public services. Municipal status would provide a formal framework for identifying and implementing development priorities in consultation with residents. This would enable the county government to decentralize services and ensure development is not concentrated in a few urban centers but spread across the county.
Governor Lenku emphasized that decentralization of services remains an important part of his administration's development agenda. The county government will consider the committee's recommendations as it moves to the next stage of the process. Further consultations and administrative procedures are expected before the proposed municipalities become fully operational.
The proposed municipalities will provide a formal framework for planning and administration in Namanga, Kenyawa Poka, and Oloitokitok. This will enable the urban centers to manage their growth and development effectively. The county government is expected to undertake the necessary processes towards establishing the three municipalities, which will enhance urban governance and service delivery.
The establishment of the three new municipalities is part of Kajiado County's efforts to improve urban planning and service delivery. The county government is committed to ensuring that development is spread across the county, and the proposed municipalities will play a crucial role in achieving this goal. The implementation of the recommendations will bring municipal governance to more urban centers in Kajiado County.
Key points
- Kajiado County is set to establish three new municipalities in Namanga, Kenyawa Poka, and Oloitokitok.
- The proposed municipalities will strengthen urban governance and provide a structured approach to planning, infrastructure development, and service delivery.
- The establishment of the three municipalities will bring the number of municipalities in Kajiado County to six.
