An aerial view of Thika town. [File, Standard] The move by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi and his team to push for Thika town’s elevation to city status is both bold and timely. This initiative deserves full support from urban planners, architects, surveyors, and all stakeholders in the built environment. If successful, Thika would become the sixth city in Kenya under the framework of the Urban Areas and Cities Act which sets the threshold for towns to become cities. This is no mean achievement, but it must be anchored in deliberate, resilient, and inclusive planning to avoid repeating the mistakes that…
Author: By Lawrence Kagwi
The new Asian Quarters main stage in Nyeri, on April 27, 2023. [File, Standard] Nyeri town’s Asian Quarters Bus Terminus, popularly known as Shakahola Stage, is one of the clearest examples of what urban planners describe as accidental planning. Established on a reclaimed dumpsite/cemetery, the facility has struggled for legitimacy since its completion nearly five years ago. Despite heavy investment, commuters, businesspeople and matatu saccos continue to resist its adoption, forcing the county government to seek court intervention and resort to coercive measures. A transport hub that was envisioned as a modern solution has instead become a textbook case of…