Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has introduced the Street Naming and Property Addressing Bill, 2024, aimed at establishing a standardised national system for street names and property addresses across Kenya.
The proposed legislation seeks to improve navigation, service delivery, and administration in rapidly expanding urban areas by creating a unified addressing framework. Key features include the formation of a National Addressing System jointly managed by national and county governments and the establishment of the Office of the Registrar of Addresses to oversee implementation.
County-Level Implementation and Oversight
The bill mandates each county to develop a property addressing system and form County Addressing Committees. These committees will be responsible for naming and renaming streets and public spaces, as well as handling public petitions related to street naming.
Addressing Urbanisation Challenges
Senator Dullo highlighted that rapid urban growth has complicated service provision and navigation, underscoring the need for a legal framework to streamline addressing procedures. She emphasized that standardised addresses are vital for delivering essential services such as mail, waste management, electricity, and water.
"Addresses are an important part of the identity of a citizen. With well-defined addresses, services such as mail, solid waste removal, electricity, water and other utility services are delivered," she stated during her Senate address.
Cultural and Practical Benefits
Beyond logistical advantages, Dullo noted that street names contribute to cultural identity by reflecting community history and values. Additionally, accurate street naming supports navigation tools like GPS, maps, and directories, enhancing overall accessibility.
