Kisumu: The County Government of Kisumu has inaugurated a Sh35 million Geographic Information System (GIS) to revolutionize land governance, urban planning, and service delivery as the city progresses towards digital administration.
According to Kenya News Agency, the advanced system, backed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other partners, will allow the county to digitize land records, observe real-time development, and enhance planning across various sectors.
Charles Konyango, the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, highlighted during the launch that the technology signifies a significant shift from manual land management systems that previously impeded development control and decision-making. He stated that the GIS is transitioning Kisumu into a digital platform for governance and management. The system combines advanced mapping technology with spatial data to develop a digital database of land parcels, infrastructure, and public facilities across the county.
The lands executive noted that the new platform enables county officials to expedite development applications and monitor adherence to approved plans. For instance, the statutory processing period for building permits has been reduced from 60 days to about one week through the GIS system. Once permits are issued, the platform can be used to track construction progress and ensure compliance with approved plans.
The system also facilitates the scanning and digitization of land records and georeferences key public facilities like Early Childhood Development centers, health facilities, water points, and disaster-prone areas. This data will guide policy formulation, infrastructure planning, and budgeting. Konyango emphasized that the system will aid disaster preparedness by mapping flood-prone zones and other risk areas, allowing authorities to plan early warning systems and response strategies.
Beyond land governance, the GIS platform is anticipated to enhance county revenue collection by accurately mapping properties and developments across Kisumu. This will help identify taxable properties, monitor new developments, and rectify revenue leakages previously caused by incomplete land records. The technology is also being integrated into the city’s broader smart infrastructure initiatives, including traffic management and public safety monitoring.
Konyango mentioned that data from the GIS laboratory can help monitor city incidents, such as traffic violations and accidents, as Kisumu expands its digital management systems. The GIS laboratory was set up at a cost of about Sh35 million, including hardware, projectors, and other infrastructure, with annual software licensing fees. The facility is operated by a technical team, including a GIS lead specialist, two data analysts, and a data officer, along with interns and volunteers training in geospatial technologies.
FAO officials noted that the Kisumu project is part of a national programme enhancing digital land governance across Kenya. Assistant FAO Country Representative Israel Williams stated that the initiative is funded by the European Union and co-financed by FAO under the pound 20 million Digital Land Governance Project. GIS laboratories have been established in all 47 counties and at the Council of Governors to support land data management and planning.
Williams highlighted that land disputes account for nearly 45 percent of court cases in Kenya, underscoring the importance of digitized land records in reducing conflicts and improving land administration. The programme also supports alternative justice systems for resolving land disputes and promotes gender equity in land ownership.
FAO Country Representative Farayi Zimudzi remarked that the initiative exemplifies how targeted technological investments can significantly enhance governance and decision-making. She reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to collaborating with county governments to expand digital land governance systems aimed at improving food systems, agricultural productivity, and community development.
