Prepare to relocate your business, residence in fresh city restructure

Kisumu City Manager Doris Ombara illustrates a design of Kibuye Market to stakeholders during the presentation of the design. Three markets in the area are expected to be constructed at a cost of Sh770 million through French government funded Kisumu Urban Project. [PHOTO: KEVINE OMOLLO]

A project to reorganise Kisumu City kicked off yesterday after the firms contracted to draw a new plan for the city tabled their initial report.

The preliminary report focused on mapping the city in terms of the area it covers, physical features, terrain, spread and population.

The report indicated that Kisumu city covers 14 square kilometres and is endowed with vast untapped socio-economic potential.

The consultants, Groupe Huite, Planning Systems Services and Branded Solutions Services Limited, have been working on the report since December last year and are expected to hand in the final document before the end of the year.

The consultants are expected to re-draw the city’s plan which, according to the county government, will give the lakeside city a completely new look.

The report funded by UN Habitat and Kisumu Urban Project (KUP) at a cost of Sh250 million, if implemented, will see the relocation of both public and private facilities.

According to City Manager Doris Ombara, the preliminary report is set to be published and taken through public participation in the next two months, before it is fine-tuned and presented to the county assembly.

Once approved, its implementation is set to begin before the 2021 Afro-Cities conference set to be hosted by the lakeside city.

Even though specific changes have not been included in the preliminary report, county officials said they would include the relocation of residential estates, factories and other facilities, especially those near Lake Victoria.

“Kisumu has its back to the lake, and we are definitely going to face the lake and maximise the socio-economic potential that is lying idle,” said Ms Ombara.

Deputy Governor Mathews Owili said the plan was part of ongoing efforts to revive the region’s maritime industry.

“We expect exponential growth, it was imperative that we plan ahead so that we are not caught unawares."

Henry Musangi of Planning Systems Services, said the plan would give a detailed local physical development plan