Why Experts Want Kenya’s Capital City Moved From Nairobi

One of the manifesto policies by Roots presidential candidate George Wajackoyah has received a major boost after experts spoke in favour of moving the capital city of Kenya from Nairobi to Isiolo.

Speaking during a panel on KTN News, Kenya School of Government Chairman Gituro Wainaina opined that Nairobi should cease being the political capital and instead take up the role as the country’s commercial hub. 

Wainaina noted that the country should take advantage of the position of Nairobi in the continent, which makes it favourable for multinational companies to reach out to other parts of Africa for business.

Cars pictured at a traffic light along Kenyatta Avenue in Nairobi

Simon Kiragu

“The whole idea of Upper Hill is to have it as a financial centre, even in terms of the investment happening there – and eventually, the plan is to move the political capital to Isiolo and leave Nairobi as a financial hub.

“It is built on the similar model of New York in the West, Dubai in the Middle East and Hong Kong in the East. There is something missing in Africa and Nairobi is at the centre and it provides that opportunity in the centre,” he added.

Wainaina stated that the country should take advantage of its strategic position to attract investors to the country and should focus on reducing the cost of doing business in the country.

The launch of the Nairobi International Financial Centre has renewed calls by experts to move the political and administrative capital and allow the city’s commercial marketability. 

On his part, Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Chief Executive of the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) Geoffrey Odundo opined that having a predictable taxation system would attract more investors.

“For us to continue to attract investments into Kenya, we have to have a tax code which is predictable, we have to have competitive tax policies and the double taxation agreements as highlighted,” he stated.

Moving the political functions of the government to Isiolo or any other town would help decongest Nairobi increasing the efficiency of doing business in the city.

The proposal to have the capital city vacated began in 2007 when the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) recommended that Kenya ought to shift its capital from Nairobi since the “master plan for the city that guided its development had expired”.

Then AAK Chairman Gideon Mulyungi argued that the relocation of Nairobi was imperative because the accelerated growth witnessed was not envisioned in the city’s plan and resulted in population pressure. 

Meanwhile, Isiolo continues to be the better option by experts owing to its centrality. They opined that moving government functions to Isiolo would also help expand development to the Northern Region.

Currently, the town has been central to infrastructural projects, including the  Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport Corridor. The town now has an international airport, making it a transport hub.

An Image of Isiolo International Airport Taken on August 5, 2021

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