The restructuring of Kisumu’s lake shore has roped in three key parties who own most of the land.
Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC), Lake Victoria Basin Development Authority (LVBDA) and Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) have been incorporated in a proposed strategic plan that seeks to reclaim the idle lake-bordering land.
The county is asking the governmental bodies to cede part of the land to allow for planned expansion and restructuring of the city to a tourism and business hub.
The draft plan argues: “The lake-bordering land is of high environmental value and is targeted with recreation, leisure and tourism and biodiversity.”
Alternatively, the plan proposes that the parties be allowed to develop their lots with its guidance.
“Present titleholders should be allowed to develop their site themselves provided they do so according to recommendations of the Plan. If titleholders are neither willing nor able to undertake the development, the municipality should release the land with associated development rights,” it advances.
The move, it argues, is aimed at putting to viable use the numerous idle private and publicly-owned land parcels within the city borders. It proposes idle lands pay yearly fees for as long as they remain vacant.
According to the Kisumu-ISUD plan, the KRC land, which stretches for 75 acres, has acted as a buffer between the city and the lake practically severing the city’s downtown access from the shore. It has dictated the design of the road network making by acting as the city’s limit.
“The value and potential of such areas deserves to be protected and leveraged through specific zoning and development guidance,” the plan dictates.