Growth erodes Kisumu suburb exclusivity

A decade ago, Kisumu’s Milimani estate was a high-end suburb dotted with villas, bungalows, and mansions in a serene environment marked with a few equally luxurious hotels and resorts.

Things have, however, changed in a short span and the once luxurious estate has become a business hub as institutions, offices, and small and medium enterprises invade the serenity in the wake of unplanned land user change.

High demand for middle-class housing has further worsened the situation in a city that has been lax in implementing zoning. This has seen flats permeate formerly posh estates with bungalows.

As the lake-side city expands towards a 24-hour economy, businesses like nightclubs, pubs, and restaurants are shunning the busy central business district in favour of more serene sites.

The aftermath has been noise pollution and increased human traffic that has upset the once quiet neighbourhood. Residents who enjoyed the seclusion now let their homes to the increasing number of non-governmental institutions, colleges, and firms’ branches to follow isolation in newer posh estates like Riat Hills, Mamboleo, and Milimani West, which are situated farther from the city.

Real estate agents attribute the infiltration to unplanned land use change caused by lack of zoning.

Change in government structure to the county system has also created ample investment room in the industry.

Residents have, however, decried the confusion and want the authorities to act fast to stem the deterioration. Mr Audi Ogada, the Kisumu City Residents Association chairperson, told Smart Company that the developmental muddle that has spread throughout the growing town is unacceptable and that clear zoning needs to be formulated and implemented.

“From rerouting of traffic, sustainable urban mobility for transport system, zoning of the city, implementation of town house policy towards a 24 hour economy, construction of modern markets and modern solid waste management, all is facing gloom as politics and weak implementation and enforcement team up to kill the master plan,” he said.

INEVITABLE CHANGES

Mr Ogada said although changes in land use are inevitable in a developing country, the reckless and unplanned construction witnessed in Kisumu is not acceptable and that it breeds lawlessness.

His sentiments are shared by the Kisumu real estate director, Mr Wycliffe Abok, who has also faulted the mix-up, saying it discourages investors.

He said there are many con men taking advantage of efforts to decongest the city. He said the move toward the periphery has been marred by cheats masquerading as land owners and presenting fake title deeds. This, he says, has slowed down the pace of development.

Mr Ogada accused the authorities of abusing the user-change statute, adding that the confusion is scaring away prospective investors.

A recent audit saw six senior municipality officials, among them the city planner, Mr Absalom Ayany, suspended over gross corruption allegations.

Acting the head of city planning, Ms Everlyne Otieno, the town plan adopted 39 years ago (in 1974) that set aside areas like Tom Mboya and Milimani as suburbs had been outgrown by expansion.

“Land user change has since been imminent and we strive to run public notices in national newspapers to inform residents of the changes before executing them,” she said. “We cannot jump Milimani to continue expansion beyond. If there’s growth, it will be in a pattern that conforms to modern trends,” said Ms Otieno.

She said a strategic master plan set for adoption later in the year will restore sanity in the property development industry, adding that the influx of crossbreed zoning has been prompted by availability of infrastructure that is needed by businesses.

The French Development Agency- sponsored master plan will see the face of the lake-side city undergo a major facelift with massive land-user change anticipated.