The rapidly changing face of Kilimani suburb

Its strategic location has seen the area attract major developers, and though many of the developments have been welcomed the rising residential and commercial developments are creating unease with area residents who are represented by Kilimani Project, the local association.

Today, it has become a cosmopolitan hub for small business and residential developments sprouting all over which residents complain is putting pressure on existing public infrastructure, noisy from roaring concrete mixers and un-navigable roads choked by trucks ferrying sand and cement to the sites and water supply that hardly go up the apartments to insecurity.

Seated under tents at Kilimani Primary School residents came together one Saturday afternoon, just before Christmas, together with some developers to discuss these issues, and find a way of ensuring the area does not lose its luster.

“Over the past few years, Kilimani has undergone rapid change. Apartment blocks come up in every corner every other week. With these changes, we also need to adapt and learn to live in a larger neighborhood and still ensure it is homely, clean, and safe for everybody,” Mr Irungu Houghton, Kilimani Project Co-ordinator.

“We are not complaining about ongoing developments but we want Kilimani to be the best place to live, work and invest.”

Restricted

One such development is Loft Apartments, a 13-storey block on Wood Avenue, in Kilimani, that will be ready to welcome occupants in the next couple of weeks. Another is Sifa Towers, a 12-storey commercial office development.

“The City Council should stop developments of high rise buildings in residential areas so that people can live at ease,” says Jerry Okungu who has lived in Kilimani for 10 years. 

Mr Okungu was attracted to the area by the ambience, trees, less congestion, shopping centre, safety and fresh air. But this has now changed.  He is now inhaling the smell of concrete from buildings standing in place of the trees and fresh paint instead of fresh air he once enjoyed.

Kilimani is a Zone 4 area, meaning it’s restricted to residential development, according to City Council of Nairobi. However, with the right approvals developers can get a permit for alternative use. Kilieleshwa, Riverside Drive and Spring Valley are other Zone 4 areas across Nairobi facing similar issues.

Riverside

Last year, homeowners in Riverside Drive and Spring Valley estates moved to court contesting the Council’s decision to approve high-rise apartments in their neighbourhoods citing negative impact on the value of their properties, which are mostly single-family dwellings.

However, housing agents say demand for good residents is driving the demand and in turn increasing the value of land in these areas. In a bid to address the demand issue the Council is at hand to issue the permits.

The Director of planning at City Hall, Patrick Odongo, has in the past said that reversal of restrictions is in line with urban population growth and it serves to ease land prices so as to attract new developments.

Mr Okungu is not totally opposed to expansions in Kilimani. His apprehension is developers building skyscrapers.  He appeals to law enforcers to keep vigil and ensure investors comply with standard building regulations.

But then again, the old bungalows and maisonettes constructed in the 60s were bound to be replaced at some point.

Working for the common good of both developers and residents, Kilimani project has resolved to hold meeting with developers on the most sustainable way of developing the area.

“We are thinking of what would work for them (investors) also. We don’t want them to encounter risks in their investments,” added Mr Houghton.

Instead of engaging in bitter fights, Kilimani Project is using an appreciative inquiry approach. This tactic calls for dialogue with concerned parties.

The Saturday meeting, parties concur, was healthy. Although the meeting was not conclusive it was the start of Kilimani Project is looking to continue with the engagement.

Looking at the possibility of ensuring recreation public spaces are reserved, enhance security, street lighting and developers adhere to urban planning regulations.