A team from the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development today conducted an inspection of buildings and other developments in Siaya town to ensure compliance with development control regulations, plan approval standards, and land use guidelines, as provided under the Physical and Land Use Planning Act, 2019.
Among the violations noted were developments that had commenced without approved plans at a site next to the Siaya County Assembly offices (adjacent to Kenya Commercial Bank in the Central Business District (CBD)). Other violations included prohibited industrial activities on pedestrian walkways and encroachment on road reserves along the Equity Bank and Siaya High Court road, particularly motorcycle repair works causing excessive oil spillage on the road reserve. Such activities contravene regulations of the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA).
The team, led by the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, Maurice Otieno McOrege, urged developers and the business community to strictly follow the established procedures for obtaining development permission and using public spaces in the town.
The inspection team issued preliminary notices and directives for immediate corrective action, including suspension of all non-compliant works. Failure to comply will lead the County Government of Siaya to invoke sections 72 and 75 of the Physical and Land Use Planning Act.
Mr McOrege was accompanied by senior technical officers, including the Director of Housing, Mr George Obare; the Director of Physical Planning, Maurice Ochieng; the Director of Lands and Survey, Vincent Oluoch; and the Siaya Municipal Manager, Madam Linet Oyola.