Kajiado’s MoE with Residents Associations : A Hit or Miss?

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In February 2025, Kajiado County formalized a Memorandum of Engagement (MoE) with the Kajiado County Alliance of Residents’ Associations (K-CARA). This landmark agreement is meant to curb unplanned development while enforcing zoning and urban planning policies in the county. The MoE also empowers residents to monitor land use and oversee compliance to zoning laws.

Purpose of the Memorandum of Engagement (MoE)

The primary purpose of the MoE is to establish a framework for collaborative decision-making between the county government and residents regarding development projects within Kajiado. This initiative aims to ensure that development aligns with the community’s needs and environmental considerations while preventing haphazard growth and fostering sustainable urban planning.

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Monday February 17, 2025, Kajiado County signed a Memorandum of Engagement (MoE) with the Kajiado County Alliance of Residents’ Associations (K-CARA). The MoE requires developers to seek a No Objection Letter from Residents’ Associations.

As reported by K-CARA, the MoE empowers residents to be part of the development approval process, to ensure that developers are adhering to the set guidelines.

Key Requirements for Developers Under the MoE

The MoE outlines specific requirements for developers, which will not only affect future developments. Pending approvals that were yet to be approved by the County government before the MoE will be subjected to this new policy too: The key requirements include:

  • Developers seeking approval for projects in Kajiado county must submit a valid No Objection Letter (NOL) with their requests as proof of community consultation and compliance with zoning laws.
  • Where a Residents’ Association (RA) exists, the NOL must be issued by the RA.
  • In areas without an Resident’s AAssociation, K-CARA will issue the NOL to ensure all developments adhere to planning regulations.

Developments in Land Use and Development Control in Kenya

Primarily, approvals are handled by county governments and other national regulatory bodies such as the National Construction Authority, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and others. These regulatory bodies are legally empowered to oversee development control in Kenya.

Related:

Fact Check: Does Kajiado County Limit Land Subdivision?

New zoning plan : Why Nairobi’s high rise buildings are unstoppable

Currently, there are no legal provisions recognizing resident’s associations (RAs) as regulatory bodies. However, RAs in Kenya have been at the forefront in controlling development and preventing sporadic development in some of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Kenya. Kajiado County becomes the first local government to sign such an agreement with a residents’ association in Kenya.

Tag of War Between Residents and Developers

Kenya’s urban landscape is rapidly evolving, with development control policies playing a crucial role in shaping the future of its cities and counties. Notably, Nairobi’s development control policy has been a subject of intense discussion, with proposals to increase the floor limit to 75 floors in certain areas. This move reflects the city’s ambition to accommodate its growing population and attract investment through high-rise developments.

However, this push for vertical expansion raises concerns about infrastructure capacity, environmental impact, and social equity. In contrast, Kajiado’s approach, as demonstrated by the MoE, prioritizes a more balanced and community-centric development model.

Implications for Investors and Landowners:

For those looking to invest in Kajiado, this MoE represents a significant opportunity and a challenge at the same time. It signals a commitment to structured, sustainable growth, which can enhance property values and create a more desirable living environment. Investors who prioritize compliance and community engagement will find a more predictable and stable development landscape.

However, as construction advances and populations grown, this approach may easily pit ambitious developers against residents. Construction is increasingly becoming expensive while land values increase uncontrollably. Over time, developers resort to high density developments or fitting more units on smaller pieces of land to maximize profits. This phenomenon cause conflict between residents and developers.

Hit or Miss?

Only time will tell whether Kajiado’s approach to land use and development control is sustainable. But now, developers planning to invest in Kajiado will have to familiarize with the county zoning policies, the County’s Spatial Plan (CSP) policy and other relevant laws like Land Use Planning Act (2019. Community engagement is also crucial for project success in Kajiado.

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