Nakuru: The County Government of Nakuru is collaborating with various State agencies and international entities to establish a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) aimed at improving resource management through data-driven urban planning and development. This initiative includes the establishment of a Geographic Information System (GIS) lab, which is expected to streamline the administration of development projects and enhance resource allocation based on data analysis.
According to Kenya News Agency, City Manager Mr. Gitau Thabanja revealed that the SDI will play a crucial role in sectors such as infrastructure planning, natural resource management, and disaster response. Mr. Thabanja highlighted the transformative power of the GIS component in the SDI, emphasizing its critical role in urban planning, addressing encroachments, and promoting public feedback. He expressed optimism that the GIS laboratory system would improve development planning and management.
A delegation from the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team’s (HOT) global team, led by Global Director Fabrizio Scrollini, met with city management and other officials to review a collaboration and sign a memorandum of understanding. This partnership leverages open mapping and geospatial tools to support disaster preparedness, infrastructure development, and inclusive community planning.
The GIS lab is set to provide a platform for storing and managing the digital footprint of development projects in sectors such as water, education, health, roads, rangelands, environment, and natural resources. Mr. Thabanja elaborated that the GIS laboratory system will further aid local and foreign investors in conveniently accessing land information.
Aligning with Governor Susan Kihika’s manifesto to digitize access to essential services, the City Manager indicated that the system will facilitate the collection, processing, and analysis of data in digital form. He observed that Nakuru City is emerging as a model for data-driven urban planning through its partnership with HOT. Achievements from past and ongoing collaborations include flood-prone area mapping, street-level imagery for climate resilience, and Nakuru’s successful bid for Municipal Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) support.
The City Manager underscored the significance of this partnership, stating that mapping is reshaping how the city plans and connects with residents, supporting better decisions around public spaces and infrastructure. He acknowledged the collaboration’s growing impact in promoting more inclusive, data-informed urban development.
Representatives from the World Bank previously engaged with officials from the County Lands and Physical Planning Department and the State Department of Housing and Urban Development to assess geospatial data needs and potential support areas within the MSDI. Mr. Thabanja noted that the initiative aims to address challenges related to data duplication, improve resource management, and facilitate effective governance.
Nakuru City Board Director and Chair of the Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development Committee, Mr. Chrispus Wathimba, emphasized the importance of actualizing urban data as part of Governor Kihika’s urban transformation agenda. He praised the collaboration for providing technical support that directly informs infrastructure priorities and sustainable planning. Mr. Wathimba assured that a regulatory framework is being developed to address data sharing and security concerns related to geospatial information.
Clause 105(f) of the County Government Act 2012 mandates county governments to establish GIS-based database systems for the development of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP). This technology is crucial for decision-making during planning and resource allocation for the Annual Development Plan (ADP).
In Africa, geospatial technology is essential due to challenges like unplanned settlements, degraded rangelands, inadequate or unplanned infrastructure, low-quality development projects, poor monitoring systems, emerging settlements, and inequitable resource allocation. Mr. Wathimba explained that GIS technology is being utilized to address these challenges, streamline project monitoring, and ensure equitable resource allocations based on evidence.
GIS technology uses location-based data from satellites, paper maps, and mobile positioning devices to map resources for analysis and decision-making. HOT’s Global Director Mr. Scrollini stated that Spatial Data Infrastructure is critical for prudent resource management and facilitating rational decision-making processes. SDI can identify areas needing road connections or urgent departmental support and enhance social amenities, streamline budgeting, and attract development partners’ support.
