The government has been called upon to collaborate with Resident Associations (RA) in the digitization of operations and services, a key ingredient in the transformation of Nairobi into a smart, 24-hour economy city.
Jubilee Holdings Ltd Group CEO Julius Kipng’etich said that Resident Associations (RA) comprise of different professionals and talents with the requisite capacity to transform Nairobi city into a modern and smart city.
“Close collaboration between the government and the resident associations will enable Nairobi city to register a high level of improvement in terms of urban environment for citizens, visitors and businesses, while boosting efficiency and sustainability,” said Kipng’etich.
Kipng’etich urged members of the resident associations to participate in the development and transformation of the Nairobi metropolitan into a smart city full of modern comforts and restore the glory of the city.
Speaking in Nairobi during the Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA) 6th Annual Resident Associations Excellence Awards (ARAEA) Gala Dinner, Kipng’etich said that in advanced economies, smart cities have been developed largely by resident associations in collaboration with governments.
“We need a city that is clean, secure and well connected. This will equally help to improve the quality of residents and increase investments which to a large extent will stimulate high economic growth,” he added.
Kenya’s capital city, he said, has for the past three decades experienced fast growth but lacks sound governance structures which calls for close collaboration between both levels of government, professionals and resident associations.
Kipng’etich argued that vibrancy of the neighbourhood associations in addressing current and emerging challenges in the city will further help to reset the mindset of residents thus encouraging sound growth.
“The associations, owing to the fact that they are endowed with all cadres of professionals are well positioned to address larger macroeconomic issues, for example, fixing physical infrastructure and recreation facilities among others as part of a bigger strategy to make it a working city,” said Kipng’etich.
He noted that Nairobi has untapped opportunities, for instance, tourism, waste management and development of a 24-hour economy.
He explained that other cities even within Africa have developed largely due to behaviour change of the residents.
“In Kigali in Rwanda, residents adopted a volunteering concept (‘Umuganda) which is basically a form of communal volunteering undertaken on every last Sunday of the month. This is a concept that, if well adopted in Nairobi, can help in changing behaviours and make the city attractive,” he said.
KARA CEO Henry Ochieng explained that the ARAEA is designed to recognize and appreciate success stories by RA and also provide an opportunity for learning and possible replication of best practices across various neighbourhoods.
This year’s awards represented a wide range of creative and impactful initiatives that address local challenges, from environmental programs, public safety initiatives to greening neighborhoods and creating communication platforms that enhance civic participation.
Some of the partners that graced the occasion include Kenya Power Company, Safaricom PLC; CTM Ltd; Jamii Telecommunication Ltd; CocaCola Beverages Africa; NCBA Bank; Bingwa Services and the Royal Danish Embassy in Kenya.
Kilimani Project Foundation scooped the award in the category of Mawasiliano after leveraging on creative communication approaches to ensure improved and structured communication among its membership.
In the category of Ujenzi, South Coast Residents Association and Kilimani Project Foundation residents’ associations were recognised for their contribution to the fight against uncontrolled and illegal development within their neighbourhood.
City of Kisumu Urban Areas Association and Garden Ridgeways Residents Association Usalama scooped awards for immensely contributing towards promotion of security at their neighborhood level.
Other winners and runners up include Kenya Komarock Residents Association for the category of drug abuse prevention and Garden Ridgeways Residents Association won in the category of Maji whose work has immensely contributed towards access to better water services for its members.
Other groups recognised for various activities in their neighbourhood include Kiamunyi Miti Moja Residents Association, Nakuru, Imara Daima Estate Association and City Park Welfare Association.
This ARAEA event celebrates and recognizes outstanding achievements by Resident Associations in Kenya, and awards those that have done exceptionally well in championing the interests of their members.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
