Anchoring County Development in Space: Why CIDPs Must Be Grounded in Spatial Plans
- Felix Kariba
- Aug 23
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 24
Kenya’s Vision 2030 charts an ambitious course toward inclusive, sustainable national development. However, realizing this vision requires more than policy commitments — it demands well-sequenced, spatially anchored planning at both national and county levels.
At the county level, County Integrated Development Plans (CIDPs) and County Physical and Land Use Development Plans (CPLUDPs) (often referred to more broadly as County Spatial Plans) are two critical planning instruments. Yet, a persistent disconnect between the two continues to threaten Kenya’s progress.
CIDPs and CPLUDPs – The Missing Link in County Planning
CIDPs, which are revised every five years, are the main planning tools that guide public investment and service delivery in counties. They outline socio-economic priorities, budgets, and timelines. However, their effectiveness is fundamentally dependent on spatial intelligence — data about land, infrastructure, population, natural resources, and risks.
That’s where CPLUDPs come in. These spatial plans provide a physical development framework, zoning land for housing, agriculture, commerce, industry, conservation, and infrastructure. When CPLUDPs are missing or outdated, CIDPs risk being unrealistic, disjointed, or unsustainable.
Yet, in many counties, CIDPs are still being developed in the absence of approved CPLUDPs or CSPs — a serious flaw in the planning process.
What Happens When Counties Plan Without Spatial Context?
Counties that proceed with CIDPs without spatial plans face significant risks:
Misallocation of resources – Investments in roads, markets, or health centers may not correspond to population densities, transport networks, or land suitability.
Environmental and legal conflicts – Projects may encroach on riparian zones, forests, or public land, violating environmental laws.
Inefficient land use – Overlapping land claims and incompatible land uses can emerge due to lack of zoning clarity.
Investment deterrence – Private investors rely on predictable, well-zoned development areas. Inconsistent planning creates uncertainty.
A Case of Success: Makueni County
Makueni County offers a strong example of integrated planning. Its County Spatial Plan identified agro-industrial corridors and potential renewable energy zones. These spatial insights directly shaped its CIDP, guiding public investment toward targeted infrastructure and enterprise support.
Other counties — such as Laikipia, Kisumu, and Uasin Gishu — have similarly aligned their CIDPs with CPLUDPs to enhance urban resilience, promote tourism clusters, or protect agricultural lands.
Why the Law Matters
This is not just a planning issue — it's also a legal and governance issue.
Under the County Governments Act (2012) and the Physical and Land Use Planning Act (2019):
Every county is required to develop a County Spatial Plan (10-year plan).
The CIDP must be informed by the spatial plan, ensuring physical feasibility and sustainability of proposed projects.
By ignoring this sequence, counties violate national law and undermine the principles of effective, evidence-based planning.
Recommendations: Toward Coherent, Spatially-Grounded Development
To close the gap between spatial and development planning, the following actions are necessary:
Enforce Plan Sequencing
CIDPs must be grounded in CPLUDPs. The national government — through the Ministry of Lands, CoG, and Commission on Revenue Allocation — should require evidence of an updated spatial plan before approving CIDPs or disbursing development budgets.
Provide Technical and Financial Support
Many counties lack capacity to develop spatial plans. The national government and development partners (e.g. through KUSP or IDA-financed projects) should provide technical assistance, data tools, and GIS infrastructure.
Build Interdisciplinary Planning Teams
County planning departments should integrate urban planners, economists, environmental officers, and GIS experts to jointly design spatially-informed CIDPs.
Promote Citizen Participation through Spatial Tools
Use digital maps and participatory GIS platforms to enhance public understanding and engagement in both CPLUDP and CIDP development.
Link Annual Development Plans (ADPs) to Spatial Priorities
To maintain alignment, county ADPs and sector plans should continuously refer to the CPLUDP — reinforcing spatial logic year after year.
No Development Without Space
Kenya’s counties hold the key to delivering Vision 2030 at the grassroots. But without spatial anchoring, even the best-written CIDPs risk becoming wishlists disconnected from physical, environmental, and social realities.
As we prepare for the next generation of CIDPs, the message must be clear: no spatial plan, no development plan. Anchoring county development in space is not just best practice — it is a constitutional, economic, and environmental imperative.
