A Senate Committee is pushing for stronger county involvement in the planning and governance of the country’s future technology cities, as lawmakers debate the controversial Technopolis Bill, 2024.
Meeting in Kiambu County, the Senate Committee on Information, Communication and Technology, chaired by Allan Chesang (Trans Nzoia) signalled its intention to propose sweeping amendments to the Bill, which was introduced in the National Assembly as Bill No. 6 of 2024.
What does Technopolis Bill entail?
The proposed legislation seeks to establish ‘technopolises’—innovation hubs designed to attract investment, research and high-tech talent. But senators now say the draft Bill fails to adequately reflect Kenya’s devolved governance system.
At the heart of the Committee’s critique is the exclusion of county governments from key decision-making processes.
“We are building a framework that respects devolution,” Chesang said on Friday, arguing that counties must not be reduced to mere spectators in a national push for digital transformation.
A major flashpoint is Clause 7, which sets out the composition of the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA).
The Senate committee now wants a representative of the Council of Governors included on the board—an amendment intended to give counties a voice on issues ranging from land use to licensing.
Other changes focus on ensuring local participation. Clause 16, which grants the Cabinet Secretary sweeping powers to declare an area a technopolis, would now require public consultations, aligning it with the Statutory Instruments Act.
Meanwhile, Clause 18, concerning buffer zones around technopolises, has been strengthened to mandate—not merely permit—collaboration with county governments on physical planning.
Yet while the Committee is defending the central role of the TDA in granting development approvals (Clauses 23–25), it has also stressed that all planning must align with master plans sanctioned by the Ministry of Lands—and harmonised with county frameworks.
Why Senators Want counties involved in establishing technology cities
Senator William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet) was also blunt in his assessment: “County governments must be at the centre of implementation, especially on land use and planning, which are constitutionally devolved.”
The Committee’s retreat continues through the weekend, with the final report expected before tabling. Issa Juma Boy (Kwale) joined the session virtually, supporting the committee’s call for deeper county engagement.
