Nairobi Physical Planning and Land Use Liaison Committee Sworn In

• The Nairobi Physical Planning and Land Use Liaison Committee has been established under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019.
• The committee offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to court litigation for resolving planning-related disputes within statutory timelines.
• Citizens can expect planning-related grievances to be heard and determined within 30 days of filing an application.

With the chairperson now formally in office, citizens will be able to have planning-related grievances heard and determined within 30 days of filing an application, significantly reducing delays associated with court proceedings.

Nairobi City County has taken a significant step towards streamlining its planning dispute resolution framework with the swearing-in of Advocate Rogers Monda as Chairperson of the Nairobi Physical Planning and Land Use Liaison Committee. This quasi-judicial body, established under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019, offers a faster and more cost-effective alternative to court litigation for resolving planning-related disputes within statutory timelines. The committee's mandate is to hear appeals and complaints relating to planning and land use decisions in Nairobi County, providing an independent review process where necessary. With the chairperson now formally in office, citizens can expect planning-related grievances to be heard and determined within 30 days of filing an application, significantly reducing delays associated with court proceedings.

The eight-member Liaison Committee comprises representatives from key professional and regulatory institutions involved in planning and land administration. These members are drawn from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), National Land Commission (NLC), National Construction Authority (NCA), Kenya Institute of Planners (KIP), Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK), and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). This diverse representation ensures that the committee has a broad range of expertise in planning and land administration, enabling it to effectively handle appeals and complaints. The operationalisation of the committee forms part of Nairobi County's broader efforts to improve governance, promote transparency, and provide residents with accessible mechanisms for resolving disputes relating to planning and land use.

The establishment of the Liaison Committee is expected to enhance investor confidence, improve efficiency in the approval of development projects, and ensure that planning decisions are subjected to an independent review process where necessary. County officials believe that the mechanism will lower legal costs by resolving disputes administratively without the need for lengthy litigation. The committee's ability to hear appeals within statutory timelines will also reduce delays associated with court proceedings, making it a more attractive option for residents seeking to resolve planning-related grievances. With six matters already heard and determined during its inaugural sitting, the Liaison Committee is poised to accelerate planning decisions and improve public service delivery in Nairobi County.

Lawyers advising clients on planning and land use in Nairobi should be aware of the new Liaison Committee's mandate to hear appeals within statutory timelines, potentially reducing delays and costs associated with court litigation.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM