The Planning Challenges of Awasi Urban Centre in Nyando District, Kenya
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THE PLANNING CHALLENGES OF AWASI URBAN CENTRE IN NYANDO DISTRICT, KENYA. BY LAJI ADOYO B.Env.S (Planning & Management) Hons, (KU) - 2001 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PART FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS (PLANNING) OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI. AUGUST, 2009. ii Declaration and Recommendation Declaration This Thesis is my original work and has not been submitted or presented for examination in any other University, either in part or as a whole. Name: Laji Adoyo Signature: __________________Date: ______________ (Candidate) Recommendation/ Approval This Thesis Report has been submitted for examination with our recommendation and approval as University Supervisors. Professor Robert A. Obudho Signature: ________________ Date: ______________ Professor Samuel O. Akatch Signature: __________________ Date: ______________ ii Dedication To my mother and my daughter, who share the name Margaret Atieno iii Acknowledgement Writing a thesis is neither a solo flight nor an individual excursion. It involves direct and indirect contributions and support from other individuals and groups of individuals. As such, it is incumbent upon the author to acknowledge such assistance. In my case, I am greatly indebted to the Gandhi Smarak Nidhi Fund through the University of Nairobi which awarded me a partial scholarship that enabled me to successfully complete the Master Programme. I am also very grateful to my two supervisors, Professor Robert A. Obudho and Professor Samuel O. Akatch, who diligently guided me through research process and at every stage, meticulously read through my report. Similarly, I acknowledge the valuable contributions made by both Professor Peter Ngau and Mr. Zachariah Maleche, particularly at the initial stages of this study. Without their criticisms and guided comments, coming up with a research topic and working objectives, would have proved to be a very difficult task. The contribution made by my research assistant Mr. Dan Odhiambo must also be acknowledged. Much thanks to the members of our Master class (Regular Programme) 2007 - 2009, indeed we formed a small community for the two years we were together. I am also very grateful to my former colleagues and great friends, Mr. Charles Otieno and Mr. Nickson Auka who in different occasions during my studies were able and willing to provide for my accommodation and ensure my comfort. For sure, a friend in need is a friend indeed. I must also mention and acknowledge the assistance of my father Mr. Emmanuel Adoyo, who ensured an enduring financial support throughout my two year study period. Finally, I thank my family made up of my wife Mary Otieno - Laji and our young daughter Margaret Laji, for their patience and endurance during the entire period. It should however be noted that even though I received assistance and contributions from the named individuals and even some who are not appearing here, the mistakes, errors, omissions and oversight in this report remain entirely mine. iv CONTENTS Page Title…………………………………………………………………………………………….i Declaration and Recommendation/ Approval ...……………………………………………....ii Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………….iii Acknowledgement……………………………………………………………………….........iv Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………...v Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………….....ix List of Illustrations……………………………………………………………………………xi List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………………xii List of Figures…………………………………………………………………………….....xiii List of Plates…………………………………………………………………………………xiv List of Appendices…………………………………………………………………………..xiv Acronyms and Abbreviations……………………………………………………………......xv CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Background to the problem……………………………..…………………………………1 1.2 Statement of the Problem….................................................................................................4 1.3 General Objective………………………………………………………………………….6 1.3.1 Specific Objectives…………………………………………………………………........6 1.4 Research Assumptions.……………………………………………………………………7 1.5 Justification of the study……………………………………….…………………….........7 1.6 Significance of the study………………………………………………………………......8 1.7 Nature and Scope of the study………………………………………………………. ........8 1.8 Limitations of the Study…………………………………………………………………...8 1.9 Definition of Operational Terms…………………………………………………………..9 1.10 Organization of the Study……………………………………………………………….10 CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 12 2.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………....12 2.2 Background to Rural - Urban Interactions and Location Theories………………………12 2.3 Theoretical Framework…………………………………………………………………..14 v 2.3.1 Central Place Theory……………………………………………………………….......14 2.3.2 Growth Pole Theory……………………………………………………………………15 2.4 Regional Development Approaches and the Role of Small Urban Centres……………...16 2.4.1 Growth Pole Approach……………………………………………………………........16 2.4.2 Dependency or Core Periphery Approach……………………………………………...17 2.4.3 Functionalist Approach…………………………………………………………….......17 2.4.4 Territorial Approach………………………………………………………………........17 2.5 Growth Centre Strategy…………………………………………………………………..18 2.6 Small Urban Centres as Growth/ Service Centres……………………………………......19 2.7 Development of Rural Urban planning Policies in Kenya…………………………….....23 2.8 Small Urban Centres being Growth Centres in Kenya…………………………………...27 2.9 Conceptual Framework…………………………………………………………………..30 CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ` 32 3.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………32 3.2 Location of the Study Area………………………………………………………………32 3.3 Population ……………………………………………………………………………….32 3.4 Data Requirements……………………………………………………………………….33 3.5 Sampling Frame………………………………………………………………………….33 3.5.1 Sample Size…………………………………………………………………………….34 3.6 Respondents.......................................................................................................................34 3.6.1 Households within the center…………………………………………………………..34 3.6.2 Households of the rural umlands ……………………………………………………...35 3.6.3 Administrative officials, Government officials and Institutional heads……………….35 3.7 Sources of Data…………………………………………………………………………..35 3.7.1 Primary Data…………………………………………………………………………...35 3.7.1.1 Data Collection Instruments…………………………………………………………35 3.7.1.1.1 Questionnaires……………………………………………………………………...35 3.7.1.1.2 Interview Schedules ……………………………………………………………….35 3.7.1.1.3 Focused group discussions…………………………………………………………36 3.7.1.1.4 Observation guide …………………………………………………………………36 3.7.2 Secondary Data………………………………………………………………………...36 3.8 Data Analysis and Presentation………………………………………………………….36 vi CHAPTER FOUR BACKGROUND TO STUDY AREA 38 4.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………....38 4.2 Location of Awasi Urban Centre…...…………………………………………………….38 4.3 The Physical Background of the Study Area ……………………………………………42 4.4 Geology and Soils………………………………………………………………………..43 4.4.1 Geology………………………………………………………………………………...43 4.4.2 Soils…………………………………………………………………………………….44 4.5 Climate…………………………………………………………………………………...44 4.5.1 Rainfall…………………………………………………………………………………45 4.5.2 Temperature…………………………………………………………………………….46 4.5.3 Wind…………………………………………………………………………………....46 4.6 Drainage Systems………………………………………………………………………...46 4.7 Agro ecological zones……………………………………………………………………47 4.8 Vegetation………………………………………………………………………………..48 4.9 Population and Demographic factors…………………………………………………….48 4.10 The Resource Base of the Umlands…………………...………………………………..50 CHAPTER FIVE: SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND ADMINISTRATIVE ACTIVITIES IN AWASI CENTRE 51 5.1 Introduction………………………………………………………………………………51 5.2 History of the Centre…...………………………………………………………………...51 5.3 The Centre and Its Environs……………………………………………………………...53 5.3.1 Economy..........................................................................................................................56 5.3.1.1 Economic Activities in the Rural Umlands………………………………………......67 5.3.1.2 Income generated to the NCC by the commercial activities in Awasi……………….70 5.3.1.3 Land………………………………………………………………………………......72 5.3.2 Transport Infrastructure………………………………………………………………...74 5.3.3 Social and Community Services………………………………………………………75 5.3.3.1 Education……………………………………………………………………………..75 5.3.3.2 Health Services……………………………………………………………………….78 5.3.3.3Housing……………………………………………………………………………….80 5.3.3.4 Water Supply………………………………………………………………………....82 5.3.3.5 Sewerage and Sanitation……………………………………………………………...84 5.3.4 Administrative Activities………………………………………………………………85 vii 5.3.5 Problems Identified…………………………………………………………………….86 5.4 Institutional Arrangement……….………………………………………………………..89 5.4.1 Provincial Administration……………………………………………………………...90 5.4.2 District Development Office…………………………………………………………...93 5.4.3 District Physical Planning Office………………………………………………………93 5.4.4 District Land Adjudication and Settlement Office……………………………………..94 5.5 Local Government………………………………………………………………………..94 5.5.1 The Nyando County Council………………………………..………………………….95 5.5.2 Functions of NCC in relation AUC…………………………………………………….97 5.6 Devolved Financial Sources……………………………………………………………...98 5.7 Non Governmental Organization…………………………………………………….....100 5.8 Weaknesses of the Institutional Framework……………………………………………101 CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 104 6.1 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………104 6.2 Recommendations………………………………………………………………………107 SELECTED REFERENCES…….………………………………………………………115 APPENDICES…………………………………………………………………………….122 viii ABSTRACT Small urban centres have been viewed as fulfilling both urban functions and some rural functions. They are understood to be capable of coordinating