REUBEN MACHARIA THANG'WA
KWALE
Summary
Professional Urban Planner experienced in overseeing development control, land use planning, and urban regeneration strategies. Familiar with the Kenyan spatial planning framework; urban management, and governance structures; and knowledgeable about devolved systems of governance in Kenya. I am also conversant with the budgeting cycle and the fiscal and physical planning nexus. Offering excellent analytical, communication, reporting, and decision-making skills.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Physical Planner
County Government of Kwale
Kwale
07.2024 - Current
- Since joining Kwale, I have led the preparation and approval of the Kwale Municipality Spatial and Land Use Development Plan, and the attendant Integrated Development Plan.
- I have spearheaded the preparation of the Municipal Public Participation and Inclusion Framework.
- Currently, I am the County Liaison Officer for the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Program II, where we are implementing three components of the program, focusing on informal settlement prevention strategies, urban planning, tenure regularization, and infrastructure development.
- I am also the co-team leader on development control, surveillance, and compliance enforcement, a team composed of different county departments in the development control sphere.
Senior Physical Planner
County Government of Nakuru
Nakuru
11.2015 - 06.2024
- Reviewed Development applications against set development guidelines and laws for purposes of construction permits as well as carrying out administrative roles in different sub counties within Nakuru County
- Regularly conducted surveillance in the sub-county for development compliance and enforcement
- Acted in the role of the County Planner and from time to time represented the County Director regarding issues of spatial development planning and compliance enforcement, dispute resolutions, liaison with other government agencies and partners
- Organized stakeholder meetings and barazas to sensitize the public on the importance of controlled development and environmental conservation
- As secretary to the Project Implementation Committee I took part in the preparation of the Nakuru County Spatial Plan 2019-2029
- Participated in the development of the County Land Information System for effective processing of development applications, revenue collection and land use management
- Participated in the preparation of different County Assembly Bills such as the Land Management Bill, County Housing Management Bill and recently the City WASH Bylaws
- As a member of the Sector Working group, I participated in the preparation of the County Integrated Development Plan 2018-2022 & 2023-2028, the Medium Term Expenditure Frameworks for the different periods, annual budgets as well as regular monitoring and evaluation for the same.
- Prepared the Spatial Development Plans for Manyani Estate Block 14 in Nakuru Town East Sub County, & Kabatini, Dunduri, Githioro and Bahati Centres in Bahati Sub County
- In collaboration with the State Department for Physical Planning, we reviewed the Spatial Development Plans for 29 trading centres in Nakuru County for purposes of approval.
- Participated in the evaluation of the expression of interest for the Naivasha Affordable Housing Project under a PPP model
- Implemented the Nakuru Municipality Strategic Structure Plan 2000-2020, and currently the Nakuru Integrated Strategic Urban Development Plan 2015-2034
- As the City Planner with the Nakuru City between Septemeber 2022 to June 2024, I played and advisory role to the City Manager the Board on city spatial development planning, city-wide inclusive sanitation planning, urban mobility planning, and identification of priority projects under the Kenya Urban Support Programme.
- In collaboration with the State Department for Housing and Urban Development, I participated in the development of Resilient Cities Strategies for Nakuru City.
- I also lead the secretariat on the Voluntary Local Review Process for Nakuru City and the preparation of the Nakuru City Vision 2050, as well as assisting the City Manager with administrative roles as the Acting City Administrator within the City and the City Board Committee on Urban Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Development
Member, Board of Management, Hillcrest Secondary School
Ministry of Education
Nakuru
05.2019 - 05.2022
- Appointed to the Board and representative of Special Interest Groups
- Guided the School Board on infrastructure development and acquisition of school land title deed
Assistant Camp Planning Officer
National Council of Churches of Kenya
Kakuma Refugee Camp
08.2014 - 10.2015
- Coordinated the physical planning and organization of the camp to ensure the siting of refugee shelters, sanitation facilities, and other camp infrastructure.
- Participated in developing the Strategic Development Plan for the Camp, together with other Camp actors.
- Prepared context-specific infrastructure, utility, and shelter master plans for efficient service delivery in different parts of the camp.
- In liaison with the then Department of Refugee Affairs and the UNHCR, I coordinated trainings, as well as information dissemination, to refugees and the community stakeholders within the camp on proper settlement, as per SPHERE Standards.
- Participated in the establishment of an information coordination system among refugee humanitarian agencies and government agencies as the chief adviser on camp layout and planning.
- Regularly planned and chaired camp planning committee meetings with the refugee community leaders to ensure community participation in planning and raising camp planning compliance levels.
- Carried out regular monitoring and evaluation of planning activities in the camp for the purposes of reporting.
GIS Data Clerk
Nairobi City County
Nairobi
03.2014 - 07.2014
- Participated in the collection, analysis, and mapping of geographical information data on Nairobi Block 82 (Donholm Area), with a bias to land payment status
- Report writing on non-compliance
- Public sensitization of land rates
- Distribution of land rates arrears demand notices
- Cross-checking the current land use of property to the approved land use
Education
Certified Secretaries -
KASNEB
Nairobi01.2017
BA - Urban and Regional Planning
University of Nairobi
Nairobi08.2013
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Nairobi School
Nairobi11.2007
Certificate of Primary Education -
Lake Kenyatta Primary School
Mpeketoni, Lamu County11.2003
Skills
- Adaptability
- Effective Time Management
- Teamwork
- Leadership
- Computer Skills
- Customer Service
- Knowledge of MS Office
- Communication Skills
- AutoCAD
- ArcGIS
- Land use planning
- Site analysis
Certification
- Registered Physical Planner, Physical Planner Registration Board
- Applications of GIS in Spatial and Integrated Urban Development Planning, African Centre for Capacity Development, JKUAT
Languages
- English
- Kiswahili
References
- Dr. Romanus Opiyo, University of Nairobi, romanop@2000gmail.com, 0722718096
- Stellar Wanjiru, Nakuru City Board, stellakaranja@gmail.com, 0722444860
- Victor Ndereba, County Government Of Kisumu, kanyndereba@gmail.com, 0722588258
Social Memberships
Nakuru Athletic Club, Member
Professional Affiliation
Kenya Institute of Planners, Corporate Member
Timeline
Principal Physical Planner
County Government of Kwale
07.2024 - Current
Member, Board of Management, Hillcrest Secondary School
Ministry of Education
05.2019 - 05.2022
Senior Physical Planner
County Government of Nakuru
11.2015 - 06.2024
Assistant Camp Planning Officer
National Council of Churches of Kenya
08.2014 - 10.2015
GIS Data Clerk
Nairobi City County
03.2014 - 07.2014
Certified Secretaries -
KASNEB
BA - Urban and Regional Planning
University of Nairobi
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education -
Nairobi School
Certificate of Primary Education -
Lake Kenyatta Primary School
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