Kisumu County City Manager Michael Abala Wanga has been elected as the National Chairman of the Kenya Caucus of City and Municipality Managers.
The illustrious Abala Wanga was feted by colleagues for his outstanding contribution in transforming Kisumu City County into a modern metropolis despite numerous challenges.
Abala has had to relocate hawkers, introduce tarriffs and cess, something that initially made him unpopular among Kisumu residents but as the outcome of his planning becomes evident he’s now earned recognition among the most respected city managers in the country.
Under his stewardship, Kisumu City has embarked on an ambitious urbanization plan aimed at transforming it into a modern, sustainable, and investor-friendly metropolis. Central to this transformation is the Kisumu Integrated Strategic Urban Development (KISUD) plan, which aligns with objectives set in 2015. Complementing this are the Kisumu Sustainable Mobility Plan (KSUMP), a 10-year transport strategy, and the Kisumu Local Physical and Land Use Development Plan (KLPUDP), a comprehensive land use plan with zoning standards and infrastructure proposals.
The city has been strategically divided into zones to spur development. Notably, the urban core area encompasses the lakefront and Central Business District (CBD), while the urban renewal and regeneration area includes informal settlements and eastern and northern extensions. Additionally, nine growth nodes—Nyamasaria, Kondele, Chiga, Kibos, Rabuor, Kisian, Dunga, Riat, and Otonglo—have been identified to focus development efforts.
A significant aspect of the city’s transformation is the emphasis on non-motorized transport (NMT) infrastructure. This includes the development of pedestrian-friendly walkways and cycle tracks, enhancing road safety in school zones, and creating a continuous pedestrian realm across 100 kilometers of streets. Plans are also underway for a bike-share system with 400 cycles and a 3.7-kilometer lakefront greenway, promoting equity and sustainability in mobility.
To bolster industrial growth, the Kibos area has been earmarked as an industrial park, anticipated to lead the industrial revolution of the city and the larger Western Kenya region. This initiative aims to attract manufacturing activities and revitalize the sugar industry, creating employment opportunities and centralizing business operations.
Environmental sustainability is also a priority, with plans to transition from tuk-tuks and 14-seater matatus to 50 to 75-seater electric buses. This shift aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and modernize the public transport system. Additionally, the city has made strides in waste management by licensing waste collectors and relocating the Kachok dumpsite to Kasese for proper isolation and segregation. Several parks, including Oile, have been reclaimed and renovated, transforming them into recreational spaces.
These comprehensive efforts under Hon. Abala Wanga’s stewardship are positioning Kisumu City as a model for urban development, balancing modernization with sustainability and community well-being.
No wonder his peers unanimously elected him as the pioneer first Chairman of the Managers and Municipalities Caucus (Kenya).
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