- What are the top three factors that are currently preventing your city (HQ or operational city) from being “liveable” for its citizens?
Residential crowding
This has been linked to promoting bad physical and mental health. It has led to physical illness such as tuberculosis and respiratory infections and with psychological distress among both adults and children. Examples of such areas include Kibera, Mathare north and Pipeline.
Housing state in Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya.
Transportation (Traffic jam)
This mainly affects low-income earners who not only take longer to travel to one place or another but also have to pay higher fares on the account of congestion. It also affects the city dwellers in terms of deterioration in their quality of life through factors such as noise and air pollution. Traffic has also made it hard for individuals to arrive at their place of work on time.
Traffic in Nairobi. Kenya.
Inadequate and inefficient sewerage systems
This leads to the spread of waste and all the germs, worms and toxic chemicals causing health problems such as typhoid in places where sewage is dumped. It also leads to contamination of drinking water sources used for drinking, bathing and farming.
Poor sewarege systems in Nairobi, Kenya.
Inefficient fresh water supply
According to the city’s water provider, (Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company), there is currently about a 25% shortfall in supply to Nairobi homes. There are also significant issues over the quality of the piped water, particularly in the city's informal settlements. Water from drains or sewage can seep into the supply due to the deterioration of pipes and much of it is undrinkable, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The government has a national target to ensure availability and access to improved water to everyone by 2030. However, previous targets have been missed, with a promise to reach 80% national coverage by 2015 falling significantly short. The national estimate for household provision of clean water was 57% by the end of 2018.
Shortage of Water supply in Nairobi, Kenya.
- In what ways does Hao Finder contribute to the creation of a more liveable city?
security
Hao Finder helps solve the problem of insecurity by helping clients get access to spaces that make them feel safe and socially connected. Decent housing Hao finder connects city dwellers to properties with habitable conditions that are within their budget.
Social amenities
Hao Finder helps clients access housing linked to public transport, education, local shops and malls, public open spaces and health services. Public transport Hao Finder helps clients access houses or residential units that are in close proximity to roads or railway. This enables them to move from one place to another eg. their work places.
Availability of water
Hao finder tries as much to link up clients with housing units or properties that have adequate fresh water supply. It also provides proposals to the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation on area that are in need of fresh water and good sewerage systems.
Read Also: The House Hunters Rental guide- 2019 (Top 5 Pocket friendly places to live in Nairobi)
Location guides
Hao Finder provides well researched data that provides an overview of localities. This helps city dwellers make informed housing and settlement decisions. By employing a network of neighborhood experts (Hao Finder Ambassadors), Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu city dwellers are able to get assistance on the area or town they are interested in.
- Are you aware of the extent to which startups and innovators like yourself are in dialogue with city planners/ administrators to foster more efficient resource management (any examples of collaboration, partnerships?) Through;
⦁ Reviewing who manages resources within both the national and county government level.
⦁ Reviewing the extent of engaging contractors in government projects.
⦁ Researching which resources are in short supply and focusing on how to use them effectively.
⦁ Partnerships with government bodies such as the National Housing Corporation which is in charge of implementation of government housing policies and programmes: Affordable Housing Programmes under the Big Four Agenda (Boma Yangu)
⦁ Monitoring planned and unplanned work that can lead to extra costs.
⦁ Planning work ie. Public service works such as road construction, sewerage and water supply systems should have start/ finish dates and durations.
4.What is the biggest challenge you face in contributing to liveability in your city?
Poor Governance
Good governance and planning practices are imperative to contributing to liveability in my city. This hasn’t been the case though. Poor governance has been mainly associated with corruption, deceit and passing of unfair policies. If good governance is enhanced, it will lead to good infrastructure, a healthy workforce, reduced crime rates, to name a few and all these will contribute to a liveable city.
5.In what ways should players (Government, Corporates, Startups) contribute to the liveability of your city.
Implementation and Accountability
The government should promote and ensure implementation and accountability. In that my city suffers from air and water pollution, where local officials prioritize economic development over environmental quality. Enhancing implementation of environmental regulations and reducing corruption will have a dramatic effect on the liveability of my city.
Mitigation policies.
The government should come up with some mitigation policies to prepare for future risks our city need to be prepared to not only for the risks arising from global phenomena but also those arising from local activities and processes.
Walkability
The government and other entities should encourage walking instead of driving Walkability is an important factor in liveability because it promotes active forms of transport. Walkability will also contribute to good health as it is also a form of exercise.
Public transport
The government under the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure should facilitate easier access to public transport. This will support community health in two ways; by reducing dependence on driving and by encouraging walking.
Public open spaces
Corporates, startups and the government should invest in public accessible open spaces such as parks, play grounds and reserves. Green space has many physical and mental health benefits for people and social-environmental benefits for communities. Parks provide opportunities for physical activities such as jogging and sports.
Public housing
The government under the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban development should come up with subsidized and standard rental spaces.
Security
The government under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government should work with closely with the National police service and private security providers to ensure adequate security within public and private spaces in the city. This could be through regular police patrol within neighborhoods and installation of street lights and CCTVs.
Summary
Evidently, there are a number of factors preventing Nairobi from being a liveable city.
At www.haofinder.com we put our best foot forward in conducting entensive ground research so as to help our clients find properties that are in close proximity to fresh water, food, transport, health care and a safe and stable environment.
Let us help you find Flats and Apartments for Rent in Nairobi, Kenya. Looking for Cleaners and Movers after shifting? We can help.