The County Government of Nakuru is working with various State agencies and international entities to actively establish a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) towards improving resource management for data-driven urban planning and development.
The initiative, which includes the setting-up of a Geographic Information System (GIS) lab, is expected to streamline the administration of development projects and enhance resource allocation based on data analysis.
City Manager Mr Gitau Thabanja disclosed that the SDI is being designed to play a crucial role in various sectors, including infrastructure planning, natural resource management and disaster response.
Highlighting the transformative power of the GIS component in the SDI and its critical role in urban planning, tackling encroachments and promoting public feedback, Mr Thabanja said he was hopeful that the GIS laboratory system would improve development planning and management.
He made the remarks when a delegation from HOT’s global team, led by the Global Director, Fabrizio Scrollini, met with City Management and other officials to review a collaboration and sign a memorandum of understanding between the two parties that leverages open mapping and geospatial tools to support disaster preparedness, infrastructure development and inclusive community planning.
The GIS lab is expected to provide a platform to store and manage the digital footprint of development projects in sectors such as water, education, health, roads, rangelands, environment and natural resources.
He elaborated that the GIS laboratory system will further help local and foreign investors to conveniently access land information.
While noting that the setting-up of the Spatial Data Infrastructure is in line with Governor Susan Kihika’s manifesto to digitise access to some essential services to shorten the time and reduce the cost of access to services, the City Manager indicated that the system will help them collect, process and analyse data in digital form.
The City Manager observed that Nakuru City is emerging as a model for data-driven urban planning through its partnership with the Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team (HOT).
He added that through past and ongoing collaborations, their achievements include flood-prone area mapping, street-level imagery for climate resilience and Nakuru’s successful bid for Municipal Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) support.
“This partnership is critical as mapping is shaping how we plan and connect with residents. It supports better decisions, especially around public spaces and infrastructure. We acknowledge the collaboration’s growing impact in promoting more inclusive, data-informed urban development,” he said.
In June last year representatives from the World Bank met with officials from the County Lands and Physical Planning Department and the State Department of Housing and Urban Development for an engagement session to assess the Geospatial data needs and potential support areas within the Municipal Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI).
Mr Thabanja pointed out that the initiative aims to address challenges related to data duplication, improve resource management and facilitate effective governance.
“We aim to provide better access to spatial data, reducing wastage and duplication. By providing a standardised approach to data management, we make more informed decisions. The initiative promotes the production and sharing of spatial data for sustainable development,” he elaborated.
HOT is a global organisation that uses open mapping to respond to humanitarian crises and promote community development.
It is based in Washington, D.C. It has a regional hub in Nairobi, focused on East Africa.
Nakuru City Board Director and Chair of the Urban Planning and Infrastructure Development Committee, Mr Chrispus Wathimba, emphasised the importance of actualising urban data as part of Governor Kihika’s urban transformation agenda.
He commended 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 requires county governments to establish GIS-based database systems for provision of data in the development of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
The technology is important for decision-making during planning and allocation of resources for the Annual Development Plan (ADP).
He noted that in Africa geospatial technology is necessary because the continent still faces numerous challenges such as unplanned settlements, degraded rangelands, inadequate or unplanned infrastructure, low quality of development projects, poor monitoring systems, the mushrooming of new settlements and inequitable resource allocation due to lack of appropriate tools for decision-making.
“We have resolved to use GIS technology cognisant of these challenges and the need to streamline monitoring of development projects and ensure equitable resource allocations based on evidence,” the City Board Director explained.
GIS uses location-based data collected via satellites, paper maps, and directly from the field through mobile positioning devices to map out resources for analysis and decision-making.
HOT’s Global Director Mr Scrollini said Spatial Data Infrastructure was critical in helping the County government make prudent management and allocation of resources while also facilitating rational decision-making processes.
He said SDI can identify areas in dire need of road connection or departments that require urgent support in terms of funding, among other things.
It can also be used to enhance various social amenities such as schools, hospitals, dispensaries and markets.
The system can also help streamline the budgeting process and give evidence-based development needs to the people, thereby attracting support from development partners, according to the official.
By Anne Mwale
