An aerial view of Nairobi CBD at night. [File, Standard]
Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya, is not an ordinary town.
It is an international metropolis hosting the United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Habitat. This is a regional communication hub, serving as a connecting centre for airlines to and from Europe.
In addition, the city accounts for 60 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) of Kenya.
News that Nairobi Metropolitan Service has embarked on fixing the infrastructure is encouraging.
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The dilapidated city road network is giving the country's capital a bad image internationally.
This is in addition to poor transport system, water shortage and sewerage system.
City planning is wanting in terms of essential public utilities.
Land once set aside for public utilities and infrastructure was allegedly illegally allocated to powerful individuals.
Most world class cities have superior infrastructure as well as public amenities. That ranges from roads, rail transport and air transport.
But the road and rail transport play a key role in driving the economy. Western capitals have subways, metros and high speed trains. Having a high quality and diverse transport system is something the capital has been yearning.
With an enhanced budgetary allocation from the Treasury, expectations from Nairobi residents are high.
The city's authorities must adopt high discipline in order to streamline city operations for the benefit of locals and the entire country.
Benard Amaya, Nairobi
