Deputy director of Physical Planning Timothy Mwangi in the ministry of Planning and housing has asked county governments to consider planning in their counties to attract investors.
Speaking to the press in Kisumu on Tuesday during the official opening of a regional stakeholders workshop on the National Spatial Plan, Mwangi warned that if counties do not plan then they will remain uncompetitive.
He said investors will only go to counties that are well planned hence in order to attract them good planning must be done.
Mwangi said the National Spatial Plan (NSP) is a vision that guides the long term spatial development of counties which is aimed at achieving an organised, integrated and balanced development of the country.
The deputy director said the county has implications for development of counties in relation to development control, environmental management and Urban and Rural development.
Mwangi said the country needs the NSP to enable realisation of constitutional principle of equity, sustainable development and the principles of land policy of efficiency and sustainability.
“The plan is aimed at optimising utilisation of the land and natural resources for sustainable development and promotes balanced regional development for national integration and cohesion,” said Mwangi.
Talking on the same issue,Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma asked the department undertaking the National Spatial Plan to prescribe guidelines that county may apply in formulating specific policies for specialisation of urban areas.
“This will form the basis for the preparation of county integrated development plan, sectoral plans, county spatial plan and cities among others,” said the Governor in a speech.
He said the challenges the county face so far is that it is not nationally or regionally competitive and there is high levels of unemployment and poverty.
He said they are determined to ensure that Kisumu county is properly planned with the broad framework provide by the national government.