Construction of homes and office blocks in Kiambu has stalled due to a breakdown in the system that approves the plans. Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) president Mugure Njendu confirmed the report and said that approvals had been delayed for the past five weeks as the county struggles to solve a hitch on its electronic development application and management system.
“We have received a number of complaints from our members that the system being operated by the Kiambu County government has not been operational for more than five weeks now. This negative impact also extends to the property developers, construction workers and other businesses that are direct and indirect beneficiaries from construction activity,” said Mugure Njendu.
Property activity
This has stalled constructions works and a blow to real estate investors in a county that has witnessed growth in property activity, in part due to its proximity to Nairobi. Developers are required to submit e-permit registration before they embark on their projects to weed out corruption and promote efficiency.
The boom in the satellite towns started in 2003 with the exit of the Moi regime accused of runaway corruption. The growth has been driven by the growing middle class who cannot afford property in the capital. This has also seen coffee plantations pave the way for gated housing estates, shopping centres, and industrial infrastructure such as warehouses.
