Resident Groups Urged to Spearhead Nairobi's Smart City Initiatives

Nairobi's ambition to evolve into a modern smart city is increasingly bolstered by the proactive involvement of resident associations.

This is according to Dr. Julius Kipng’etich, Group CEO of Jubilee Holdings Ltd. Speaking at the 6th Annual Resident Associations Excellence Awards (ARAEA), organized by the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA), Dr. Kipng’etich emphasized the essential role these associations play in urban development. He urged them to leverage their collective skills to contribute to the city's revitalization.

At the awards gala, the Garden Ridgeways Residents Association (GARRA) was distinguished with multiple honors, reaffirming the significant impact resident associations have on city planning and governance. Dr. Kipng’etich cited the successful partnership models between resident associations and governments in advanced economies, suggesting Nairobi adopt similar strategies.

With a vision for a cleaner, safer, and more interconnected Nairobi, Dr. Kipng’etich highlights that improved collaboration among residents could substantially accelerate the city’s development, yielding benefits for inhabitants, visitors, and enterprises. He warns that the rapid urban growth of Nairobi over the past three decades has been impeded by frail governance structures and a tendency towards political priorities rather than effective urban planning.

To enhance civic engagement, Dr. Kipng’etich proposes the adoption of Rwanda’s 'Umuganda,' a communal volunteering initiative that takes place monthly. He believes this model could significantly shift the mindset of Nairobi's residents and make the city more attractive and efficient. Echoing Dr. Kipng’etich's sentiments, KARA chief executive Henry Ochieng underscored the significance of the ARAEA event in acknowledging the achievements of resident associations and facilitating the exchange of best practices.

This platform celebrates associations that advocate for their members’ interests and drive impactful community improvements.
GARRA was notably recognized, winning the Maji (Water) Award for its contributions to water service enhancements, the Miundombinu (Infrastructure) Award for its public infrastructure advancements, and being a runner-up for the Usalama (Security) Award.

Member Maryanne Wariithi credits the association's success to innovative initiatives including a real-time reporting feature via WhatsApp, which allows for prompt resolution of water service issues. Other noteworthy recipients included the South Coast Residents Association and Kilimani Project Foundation Residents Associations, both recognized for their efforts in curtailing uncontrolled development, as well as the Kenya Komarock Residents Association for its initiatives in combating drug abuse.