Denise Kodhe, Director General IDEA for Africa
IDEA Laments on The State of Urban Planning In Nairobi
Little or no credible attention has been geared towards urban planning in many African governments, a crisis that is seemingly slipping away from the hands of the said governments.
Institute for Development and Leadership in Africa (IDEA for Africa), held a consultative forum which saw a deep conversation “In the wake of climate change manifesting itself in various weather and climate extremes, including the devastating floods that Kenya and other countries have had to face this last two months, it requires that we add our voices to the enormous task seeking to mitigate, adapt or better still avoid repeat occurrences” Implored Ulfat H. Masibo Executive director AMWAN
lfat H. Masibo Executive director AMWAN
“We shudder to think of the amount of destruction our country has to bear in the last few days. It is certainly not an overstatement, declaring that there will be a similar occurrence of flooding, loss of lives and lose of various vital infrastructure next year, nothing will have changed in Nairobi.” Adds Denise Kodhe the Director General IDEA for Africa
They are certain that as of April next year, the city of Nairobi government will not have done anything about the awfully poor and neglected drainage system.
While lamenting on the alarming cases of people affected by floods they say “You can be sure that some Kenyans will continue to grab and erect property on riparian lands, and that some of these buildings will be swallowed by the angry storms of next year essence balanced development of all corners of Kenya and Africa is the only sure way of bringing about equity reading poverty and creating employment”
“Media has important responsibility in all these things that we are lamenting about. We do hope that our media throughout the continent will not waiver in the commitment to highlight issues of urban injustice and helping bring national and county governments to account. Urban planning is a key imperative in ensuring inter and intra generational equity well managed and safe cities” Implored Denise Kodhe
Denise Kodhe, Director General IDEA for Africa
IDEA for Africa will continue to collaborate with all like minded partners, including government departmnets, UN agencies, especially, UN Habitat, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Union (AU), and USA Africa among partners to champion, build capacities, sensitize citizens and contribute to policy making possesses that will enhance the quality of livelihoods in our beloved African continent.
Ulfat H. Masibo adds that plans are underway to kickstart a campaign dubbed “Green Week Campaign” to embrace the greening Kenya initiative by planting more trees in the country.
