Deputy Governor Kapkea Meets Land Team to Enhance Service Delivery in Uasin Gishu
This morning, Uasin Gishu County Deputy Governor, H.E. Evans Kapkea, held a meeting with the staff from the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development. The team was led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Dr. Janeth Kosgei. The primary focus of the meeting was to strategize ways to enhance the department’s service delivery and address key challenges to improve its efficiency and effectiveness.
In his address, Deputy Governor Kapkea emphasized the need for prompt responses to residents’ needs, particularly in regard to public facilities such as (ECDE) centres and health facilities. He stressed that acquiring land for such projects should be a top priority for the county.
“Also work on strategies to raise own-source revenue to achieve the overall revenue collection in the department through land rates collection and plan approvals,” H.E Kapkea added.
Dr. Janeth Kosgei provided a comprehensive overview of the department’s progress, highlighting significant achievements such as the fast-tracking of title deeds, the digitization of the land registry, the titling of land in Kesses Farms, and the establishment of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) lab. She also spoke about ongoing initiatives, including efforts to approve a regeneration plan, improve the county’s street addressing system, develop a county spatial plan, and review zoning regulations to strengthen development control.
“The department is working to address backlogs in land acquisition, which have been partly caused by budgeting constraints. We are also working to trace parcels of land that have yet to be credited to the county. Enhancing revenue is key, so we are focusing on land value capture to improve rates collection. The valuation roll review is crucial to maximize on land rates collection,” said Dr. Kosgei.
County Economic Advisor Mr. Phillip Melly highlighted the importance of ensuring that land banking processes are properly documented. Meanwhile, Chief Officer for Lands Mr. Geofrey Tanui suggested involving the County Assembly more directly in the land banking process, noting their critical role in budget approvals.
One of the key issues discussed was the need to clean up and reconcile land rates arrears.
Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Julius Koech, emphasized the significance of affordable housing projects within the city. Eldoret City Board Chair, Mr. Julius Kitur stressed the city’s vital role in solid waste management and the overall management of the city’s outlook, including security, housing, and business operations.
In closing, Deputy Governor Kapkea commended the department’s efforts and expressed his full support for their ongoing initiatives to enhance service delivery in Uasin Gishu County, particularly in alignment with the governor’s mission under Nguzo No. 8.
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