The Ministry of Lands | Republic of Kenya

Mr. Augustine Masinde Director Physical Planning

Message from the director of Physical Planning

The key role of the Department of Physical Planning is the production of physical development plans. The urban and rural areas of Kenya are facing problems related to poor infrastructure, poverty, environmental degradation and declining urban areas. All these have a direct implication on the well being of the society and the planner of today is duty-bound together with other stakeholders to provide solutions to tackle the issues.

New measures have been put into place to enable the department deliver better and efficient services to the public. These include adopting new technologies like Geographical Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Sustainable Development Principles. The implementation of the Physical Planning Act Cap 286 has enabled the public to fully participate in the planning process. The Department of Physical Planning looks forward to being a partner in building the nation with one aspiration “ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE HUMAN SETTLEMENT"

MISSION
“To provide an appropriate Spatial Framework for sustainable development through preparation of Physical development Plans”

VISION
“To become a lead agency in the Promotion of well planned and sustainable human settlements”

DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES
These objectives are guided by the national demands and statutory requirements as stipulated in the Physical Planning Act Cap 286. They are:-

1. Developing a National Land-use Policy
2. Developing a National Land-use development plan
3. Preparation of Development Plans (Short and Long term physical development plans)
4. Preparation of the Cities Metropolitan Plans for Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru.
5. Assist in the implementation of a National Land-Use Information System
6. Ensure the full implementation of Physical Planning Act CAP 286
7. Participate in research and development activities to generate information for planning needs.
8. Build Partnerships with other development agencies and partners to promote well planned human settlements and space.

ORGANISATION & ACHIEVEMENTS

Forward Planning Section
Current projects undertaken
  - Embu Strategic Plan
  - Ongata Rongai Development Plan
  - Ngong Zoning Plan
  - Development plans for the following urban centers Silibwet, Mandera, Bungoma, and Masalani (District headquarters for Ijara District).

Regional Planning Section

Some of the achievements of this section include;
1. Nyandarua Regional Physical Development Plan
2. Mombasa Mainland South Coast /Kwale Regional Physical Development Plan (On going)

Enforcement Section
To date the section has achieved the following:

1. Conducting sensitization seminars for all our field officers on how to operationalize the Physical Planning Act.
2. Initiated and coordinated stakeholders’ sensitization seminars in conjunction with field officers for stakeholders in all the 66 No. Districts.
3. The establishment and fully operationalizing Physical Planning Liaison Committees in all the Districts and Municipalities except for Mandera, Moyale and Wajir Districts
4. In collaboration with the Association of local Government Authorities Kenya (ALGAK), the section has successfully mounted sensitization seminars on the role of Local Authorities in the implementation of the Physical Planning Act for officials of all local authorities from Nyanza, Western, eastern, North Eastern, Coast and North Rift Valley provinces.
5. The section is representing the Director actively on the NEMA Technical Advisory Committee on Environmental Assessment
6. In collaboration with the Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA), the section has successfully sensitized stakeholders in the petroleum Industry on the requirements and application of the Physical Planning Act and its Regulations.

Development Control. Its responsibilities include:

1. Preparation of part development plans for public utilities an development plans to guide development
2. Processing development applications such as extension of leases, change of users, subdivisions, amalgamations, and issuance of compliance certificates.
3. Monitoring of developments in Nairobi and coordinate monitoring of the same country wide in conjunction with field officers.
4. Vetting of development plans and ensuring that they meet planning standards before forwarding the same to the Director and Minister for final approval
5. Publishing of notices in the press and Kenya Gazette of approved development plans

Research Information

The section has been able to achieve the following to date;
1. Revision of the handbook is continuing (National, Provincial, and District workshops conducted countrywide)
2. Production of a newsletter “The Planner”
3. Compilation of a digital database for the following areas

• Kenya
• Nyandarua District
• Bungoma
• Lake Victoria basin
• Kwale District
• Naivasha
• Nakuru Municipality and District
• Meru Municipality
• Kibera Informal Settlement
• Informal settlements of Nairobi City

The section has a fully fledged Geographical Information System laboratory and is aiming to establish the same within the provincial offices to serve the districts. The establishment of a computer hub will assist the department in converting from analogue to digital all plans in its custody for better management for the data. The public should expect better service from the department owing to the modernization effort

CONTACT OFFICES
The Department Headquarter is at Ardhi House First Ngong Avenue, Nairobi with other planners in charge at the following Provincial addresses:

Where to purchase a copy of the Physical Planning Act

You may purchase a copy of the Act from the Government Press located along Haille Sellasie Avenue, Nairobi.