Deputy Governor of Nakuru County, David Kones, has urged county departments to adopt the Geographic Information System (GIS) technology for making informed and evidence-based decisions in project implementation.
While celebrating GIS Day, the county’s planners, surveyors, and geo-spatial planners showcased various technologies under Kones’ leadership. Kones said that the system could guide policymakers, planners, and the community on land use needs such as where to build schools and health centres.
The GIS community of professionals and students celebrates the advancement of GIS technology every year on GIS Day. They showcase the diverse applications of spatial technology in storing, visualising, analysing, and interpreting geographic data.
“With the mushrooming grabbing of public land, the GIS technology will also help in securing public land, planning urban areas, and improving revenue collection and allocation.” Kones stated.
Nakuru is among the few counties to launch the Spatial Development plan, which, Kones says will be implemented with the help of the speedy adoption of GIS technologies.
“This blueprint for resource management is GIS-based, in compliance with constitutional requirements, and swift adoption of the Geo-Information System marks a significant milestone as the county embarks on its implementation,” he added.
Various departments that have used GIS technologies, such as UN-FAO, the Kenya Institute of Planners, the Kenya Institute of Surveyors, the Kenya Urban Roads Authority, the Kenya National Highways Authority, and the Nakuru Water and Sanitation Company, among others, shared their experiences with the public. Peter Palang’a, the Nakuru County Assembly Chair of the Lands and Planning Committee, stressed the importance of harmonising land data for planning purposes.
“We will support the moves by the county to digitise all information in the county to inform the timely implementation of plans while controlling development in various towns.” Palang’a stated, calling on the county to pool funds towards setting up a GIS Centre
For faster implementation, Palang’a suggested that the county spatial plan should be consistent with the annual plans and the county integrated development plans.
