Isiolo County is charting a transformative course for its future with the finalization of its ambitious County Physical and Land Use Development Plan (2024–2034).
This decade-long blueprint promises to revolutionize land management, foster orderly urban expansion, and unlock economic potential in one of Kenya’s most strategically vital regions.
A Promise Fulfilled: Governor Guyo’s Vision Takes Shape
In 2022, Governor Abdi Ibrahim Guyo pledged to deliver a comprehensive spatial plan to anchor sustainable development and protect Isiolo’s precious natural resources.
Three years later, that commitment is materializing into reality. “Our county will have a spatial plan. My administration recognizes this as a critical tool for sustainable development,” Governor Guyo reaffirmed during recent validation sessions.
Rooted in the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019), the plan aims to streamline land utilization, curb unplanned settlements, and attract investors through coordinated spatial frameworks.
The Department of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development has spearheaded a rigorous countywide validation process, building on months of extensive public participation to refine the draft.
Inclusive Validation: Voices from Every Ward Shape the Future
Public forums conducted across all wards have exemplified Isiolo’s commitment to transparency and citizen-driven governance.
Residents, community leaders, elders, and technical experts have scrutinized proposals, ensuring local priorities are integrated into the final document.
Mr. Hussein Jirmo, the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands and Physical Planning, emphasized the plan’s equitable focus.
“Under the leadership of H.E. Governor Guyo, we are committed to a credible, people-centered plan that secures land rights and unlocks economic opportunities for all,” he stated.
Chief Officer Francis Lekalasimi highlighted its role in bridging urban-rural divides.
“This guiding instrument will harmonize growth between urban and rural settlements, improve infrastructure connectivity, and enhance land adjudication processes across Isiolo,” he explained.
Grassroots Priorities: Addressing Community Concerns Head-On
At the ward level, residents articulated specific needs that underscore the plan’s practical impact:
- Merti Ward: Chairperson Roba Halkano of Dheda advocated for accelerated registration of community lands to safeguard pastoralist rights.
- Bulessa Ward: Habiba Jaldesa pushed for clear zoning to segregate mining activities from residential areas, preventing environmental and safety hazards.
- Ngaremara Ward: Led by Pascal Kirion, locals demanded enhanced drainage systems and upgraded road networks to mitigate perennial flooding.
- Oldonyiro Ward: Leaders like Julius Raita Leteele and Pastor Lekoona proposed new bypass roads to alleviate future congestion, aligning with Isiolo’s aspiration to become a resort city while bolstering peace and infrastructure.
In Sericho, Garbatulla, and Kinna wards, communities called for the re-establishment and marking of boundaries to resolve recurring livestock-related conflicts.
The draft plan responds proactively by proposing shared grazing zones and joint peace committees, promoting inter-community cooperation and securing livelihoods in this arid pastoral heartland.
Expert Endorsement: A Model for National Standards
Ms. Sarah Masaki, Assistant Director of Physical Planning, praised Isiolo’s methodology.
“Isiolo’s approach is professional, participatory, and forward-looking — a model for other counties,” she noted, highlighting alignment with national planning standards and a genuine dedication to sustainable land management.
Looking Ahead: Positioning Isiolo as Northern Kenya’s Development Beacon
As validation concludes, Isiolo is poised to adopt a plan that will govern land use, infrastructure development, and environmental conservation for the next 10 years. Key outcomes include:
- Efficient Land Allocation: Preventing sprawl and optimizing resource use.
- Investment Attraction: Clear zoning to draw tourism, agriculture, and renewable energy projects.
- Conflict Resolution: Mechanisms for peaceful co-existence in a multi-ethnic county.
- Infrastructure Boost: Improved connectivity supporting Isiolo’s role as a Lapsset Corridor hub.
Under Governor Guyo’s stewardship, Isiolo is evolving from a frontier county into a paragon of spatial order, economic equilibrium, and inclusive prosperity.
This 10-year spatial plan not only fulfills a electoral promise but sets a precedent for devolved units nationwide, ensuring that growth benefits generations to come.
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