Under the visionary leadership of H.E. Governor Susan Kihika, Nakuru City Management marked a significant milestone by conducting its inaugural Voluntary Local Review (VLR) stakeholder engagement meeting. This transformative initiative is a crucial component of Governor Kihika’s six-point Urban Agenda, aimed at positioning Nakuru City as a model for sustainable urban development.
The VLR process, unfolding during the stakeholder engagement meeting, served as a platform for evaluating Nakuru City’s strategies and plans, aligning them with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the local level. Stakeholders from diverse sectors participated in the discussions, providing valuable insights and proposing interventions that can contribute to effective SDG implementation.
Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Kamau Kuria, outlined the transformative programs designed to advance Nakuru’s commitment to sustainable urban development. The City Manager, Mr. Gitau Thabanja, emphasized the importance of active stakeholder engagement in the VLR process, recognizing it as a vital tool for resource mobilization and informed decision-making.
The impact of this strategic intervention was evident in the broad representation at the meeting, including organizations such as NTSA, Kenya Forest, EIK, Ignite Youth Group, Griincom, Residents Associations, ISK, and the Kenya Space Agency. This diversity reflects a collaborative effort to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to Nakuru City’s development.
Governor Kihika’s Administration, through this initiative, aims to empower city residents by fostering a collaborative environment for assessing and enhancing the city’s performance against national and global SDG indicators. The VLR process, over the long run, is expected to elevate Nakuru City’s global standing and facilitate effective governance through well-informed decision-making.
The success of Nakuru City’s VLR initiative is made possible through the support of various partners, including UN-HABITAT, Friedrich Erbert Stiftung (FES), Civil Society Urban Development Platform (CSUDP), and the Just City Working Group. Nakuru’s role as a pilot for the 2030 Agenda Sub-Fund positions it as a trailblazer, paving the way for the extension of this model to inspire and guide other cities in their pursuit of sustainable urban development.
