Career city planner Tom Odongo was yesterday appointed Nairobi town clerk. Odongo, who until his appointment was the council's director of planning, takes over from Roba Duba. Duba resigned earlier this week to pursue politics, barely four months after his appointment. A senior Ministry of Local Government official based at Jogoo House intimated to the Star that Odongo will serve as the town clerk until after the next general elections.
“It is confirmed, he is just waiting for the letter of appointment,” added our source. The UK trained Odongo is credited with turning around the council's planning department, which saw it emerge as the first council in Sub-Saharan Africa to go digital in building approvals. The only other council is in South Africa.
The automated permit system has eradicated bureaucracy in the approval of housing, infrastructure, and other large building projects. During its launch last September, Odongo said the new system should ease and speed building permit approvals by cutting down the number of meetings required between applicants and the regulator.
“It will also notify applicants via SMS text and email whenever their proposals complete key milestones during evaluation and approval.” As a result, the system helps increase transparency of the process. Former town clerk Philip Kisia hailed the appointment of Odongo saying he is reform-minded.
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