Ethiopian Review

Nairobi city is headed for a major facelift that will see it ranked among major cities in Asia. An ambitious initiative put in place by seven Government ministries include environmental beautification, putting up of CCTVs, street and building numbering and road marking.

Government Spokesman Alfred Mutua will chair the Inter-ministerial Committee on implementation of the city’s image building programme.

The project will involve Nairobi Metropolitan, Local Government, Provincial Administration and Internal Security, Roads, and Lands Ministries. They will work in collaboration with City Council and Nairobi Central District Business Association (NCBDA).

Old image

Speaking during the launch, Mr Mutua said the process is the beginning of the city’s move to regain its glory as a metropolis, while reclaiming its old image as “the city in the sun”.

“Nairobi has to look successful for it to attract success and the good news is now it will,” Mutua said.

Beautification will include transformation of haphazard landscaping of mostly bushes, to beautiful manicured lawns, plants and hedges.

Mutua added: “We want to promote efficiency, organisation, individual responsibility, community policing and security through use of CCTV.”

Local Government PS Sammy Kirui said the process would internationalise Nairobi and promote physical aesthetics and discipline.

NCBDA chairman Timothy Muriuki said: “We are now asking business owners to install at least two CCTVs on their premises that can record and store at least one month’s footage.”

Criminal activities

Town Clerk Philip Kisia urged tenants and homeowners in estates to jointly pool resources and install CCTVs, saying estates have been targeted in recent criminal activities.

- By Peter Orengo and James Ratemo | The Standard