How Nakuru benefits with Susan Kihika CoG appointment

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Nakuru governor, Susan Kihika, got another feather on her cap in her stellar political career with her recent appointment as the Chair for Lands, Housing and Urban Development at the Council of the Governors the other day.

  Many may not know what benefits for Nakuru such a position confers, but they're enormous and could change the face of the fast growing Nakuru city for good.

  Coming at a time she had been handling political firestorms ignited by her opponents, the appointment gives her several leverages. For instance, when she said that the Kenya Urban Roads Authority didn't involve her office when cutting down the iconic jacaranda trees along the Oginga Odinga Avenue, and that the county should be the giving the permits, that was kind of a leverage. KENHA and KURA will need to ask for permission from her office first when embarking on road repairs where it necessitates the felling down of trees. And this model will be adopted by all the county governments. Governor Susan set a precedent, the others replicated it, will become the official playbook when it comes to protecting trees in urban setups.

  Nakuru has been known for high land frauds, and she could push for titling to curb this. We have instances where land meant for public good ends up in individuals hands. She's in pole position to nullify many contentious title deeds for lands claimed by the public and for public good. And where private land is identified for public good, she should push for just compensation for the affected individuals. More, land rates should be streamlined.

  And still on land, President William Ruto affordable housing project could get a boost in Nakuru county. For instance, the governor will identify areas of housing priority and direct the projects be allocated to those areas to alleviate the housing demand. Slums like Rhoda could be model cases of slum upgrading through the affordable housing in near future.

  The governors have for long called for a 30% allocation of housing levy to carry on with affordable housing programme in their counties, and her appointment places her in that hot seat to negotiate and actualize this with the central government.

  Despite having a city status, Nakuru is known for wanting infrastructure. Storm drains get overwhelmed and sewer lines are overwhelmed as more buildings pop up. An upgrade of the aged sewer system should be in her priority list. The town that boasted as the most clean in East Africa when it was a municipality could attain a new status: the best planned city under governor Susan Kihika. It could even get an international recognition when it comes to urban planning.

  The appointment further cements her 2027 reelection plans especially at a time she had been putting one political fire after another. The MCAs who have been clamouring for her impeachment will see any of their impeachment motion fizzling out. She has the backing of all the governors. And this also places her predecessor, Lee Kinyanjui, in an awkward position. Same with other aspirants whose political visibility hardly reverberates. 

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