Nairobi's skyline has changed over time with the sharp rise in the number of skyscrapers that have attracted mixed development. Kilimani, one of the city's posh estates, has suffered an influx of these skyscrapers that are stretching the available amenities and infrastructure.
With the high number of human traffic that has been on the rise, residents are now putting pressure on the developers to allow Passenger Service Vehicles (PSVs) to operate within the estate.
The estate has witnessed an influx of tenants buying or renting the newly constructed one to four-bedroom houses, as one-detached and semi-detached homes synonyms with the estate fast fade.
Parking lots are said to be fully occupied as opposed to the past years when residents enjoyed less traffic. One of the community rules in the estate is that no public transport vehicles are allowed on certain roads.
However, as the area opens up to tenants who could not afford houses in the estate previously, demand for taxis, motorbikes and matatus is soaring.
In a past interview with a local daily, Peninah Ndegwa, an urban planner noted that the area needs infrastructural replanning owing to the densification.
Among the demands that need to be met is re-analysing the guidelines that bar public transport in the estate.
“We ought to ensure that there is water, electricity and that the area is served by public transportation as the neighbourhood becomes car-centric. Allowing residents to walk, cycle or use public transportation will lessen congestion,” she explained.
Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) President, Abraham Samoei, added that the dense developments put pressure on services and infrastructure.
“Before, there was a single unit and maybe two vehicles seen in a day. Now, you have 100 residents and if 70 per cent are driving, then that's nearly 70 vehicles thus putting pressure on the infrastructure,” Samoei detailed in an interview.
Renowned architect, Professor Alfred Omenya, further told Kenyans.co.ke that reforms within the suburb and other Nairobi estates will ease the lives of residents.
"The rapid transformation of Kilimani, Hurlingham, Lavington, and Kileleshwa, is highly welcome. All we need is to upgrade infrastructure and services,” Omenya advised.
Wilson Mugambi, the President of the Architectural Association of Kenya, noted that the rise of multistorey developments would aid in the growth of the economy and that there was a need to lessen pressure on amenities and infrastructure in Kilimani.
“It shows that there is a need for planned densification in urban areas as more people relocate to our major cities.
“There is nothing to worry about since it shows a distinct growth in the middle class, which should translate to a better circulation of capital and economic growth,” Mugambi stated.
Nonetheless, Kilimani residents complained that the influx of tenants has exposed the area to insecurity, with more cases reported daily.
Wanjiku Kanyiha, a lawyer and the Executive Director of Kilimani Project Foundation, lamented that a change in the laws governing the area, lack of proper government oversight on the construction of the skyscrapers not only affected the safety of the residents but also exposed the suburb to pollution.
