Registration Number

W50/34805/2019

Level (Masters / PhD)

Masters

Full Names

Silas Mbaabu Gichuru

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Student Short Biography

(Max 250 words)

Silas is a Registered and Practicing Physical Planner and a Lead NEMA EIA/EA expert. He is currently the Lead consultant and Managing Director at Supreme Plans Consultants Limited where he has led teams in preparation of Spatial plans, Local Physical and Land use Development Plans, Municipality plans and development applications for Governments, Agencies, Institutions, Associations, Firms and individuals. He attended Marimba Primary School and Nkubu High School in Meru County. Silas graduated in 2012 from University of Nairobi with a degree in B.A Planning. He has environmental training from ANU university and Arbitration and ADR training from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. He is a member of Kenya Institute of Planners, Environmental Institute of Kenya, AAK-Town Planning Chapter and Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

Thesis / Project Title

Effectiveness of E-Development Permit System in the management of development applications and approvals in Nairobi city county

Thesis / Project Abstract

(Max 250 words)

Digitization and automation have emerged as preferred solutions to challenges affecting city development management and application processes. Nairobi City County Government is a pioneer in automating development application processes in Kenya. The lack of empirical evidence about the effectiveness of the e-Permit Systems in Kenya and various challenges facing the existing E-Permit Systems implies that their continued implementation is not based on contextualized evidence and the actors might be implementing defective systems. This thesis investigates the effectiveness of the Nairobi City County E-Development Permit System. The key study variables included System efficacy, adequacy, reliability, cost, legality and operation framework. A single case study research design was utilized to collect data from 61 external users (42 Architects, 17 Physical planners, and 2 Structural engineers) and five internal reviewers from NCCG.

The study established safety, convenience, interactiveness, adaptability, trackability, progressiveness, adequacy and scalability as the primary characteristic of an effective e-permit system. About half of NPDMS users had a positive user experience with the system. Significant gaps were identified in operationalization and adherence relevant laws and regulations. There was also lacks of specific and adequate regulations governing procurement, development, operations and maintenance of the e-Permit System. Other challenges included lack of documented up-to-date approving standards, limited and ineffective communication channels, opaque circulation processes, inadequate interface functions, ineffective subsystems and linkages, and lack of adequate qualified county professionals in the system. The study proposed a regulation framework to resolve these challenges and harness other digital opportunities.

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Research Supervisors

Dr. Ralwala Anthony Oduor

Dr. Maurice O. Oyugi