By Thura-Nira

Kenya, along with numerous other African nations, faces substantial challenges due to the lack of a comprehensive and reliable addressing system. The absence of a robust addressing framework hampers efficient delivery of goods and services, impedes effective emergency response efforts, and restricts the nation’s economic growth potential.Consequently, the pressing need for Kenya to reform its addressing system or develop a more efficient one that can cater to the country’s unique needs and bolster economic growth and development is apparent.

The Current State of Affairs and Challenges

The addressing system in Kenya has transitioned from dependency on landmarks and descriptive directions to a more standardized method using unique identifiers, including geographical coordinates, road names, and building numbers. Nevertheless, the system still grapples with challenges relating to standardization, updates, and technology.

The existing assortment of ad-hoc addressing systems has led to inconsistencies and inefficiencies. This inadequacy hampers business operations and limits individuals’ access to essential services.

The lack of a unified addressing system significantly impacts the “last-mile” delivery of goods and services, resulting in delays, escalated inefficiencies, and increased costs. According to the Couriers Industry Association of Kenya (CIAK), the absence of a cohesive addressing system manifests in the form of extended delivery time due to the necessity of tracing locations. It also incurs costs for mobile calls as directions are sought from both senders and recipients of goods.

Furthermore, this means delays in delivering goods and services due to increased time spent tracing locations, and costs for mobile calls as directions are sought from both senders and recipients. CIAK reports that of all mis-deliveries, 17% result from incorrect addresses on the label; 58% are delayed pending further information from sender/recipient, and 25% are never delivered at all. This problem is compounded by the discrepancy between formal and informal settlements in both urban and rural settings.

Historical Interventions

After gaining independence in 1964, one of the earliest interventions was the formation of a street naming sub-committee under the town planning committee of the then Nairobi City Council. This sub-committee generated or received public suggestions for address names, which were vetted and eventually submitted to the Minister of Local Government for approval. This early groundwork established a foundational addressing framework that neighborhoods in Nairobi’s Eastlands, like Buru Buru, Kaloleni, and Ofafa Jericho, continue to employ.

Over the years, this system has undergone various updates and improvements, including the implementation of postal codes and street addresses in the 1960s and 1970s, and the more comprehensive Kenya Gazetteer System introduced in the 1990s. These efforts, coupled with initiatives led by various entities to guide the naming and numbering of streets and properties, signify the country’s pursuit of an efficient and unified addressing system.

While historical efforts have laid the foundation for an addressing system in Kenya, these attempts have not sufficiently established a comprehensive national addressing system. This gap has led to the emergence of innovative private sector solutions, primarily technology-driven. With the advent of smartphones and web mapping technologies, these systems have bridged some of the gaps left by the lack of a standardized addressing structure.

These solutions range from traditional sequences of property numbers painted on the exteriors of buildings, ad-hoc building names, to the extensive use of descriptive and postal address components within a single address and utilizing smartphones and web mapping technologies

Why Google Maps Plus Codes is not scalable

One main solution that has gained prominence is Google Maps Plus Codes, a geocoding system that provides a method for identifying and locating any point on earth. This system works by dividing the world into a grid of cells, each assigned a unique code. This six-character alphanumeric sequence represents a specific location on the map and can be conveniently shared via digital platforms, providing an effective solution for location-based services, especially in areas with inadequate addressing systems.

However, despite its potential, Google Plus Codes may not be suitable as the national addressing system for Kenya for several reasons. Firstly, being a proprietary system owned and controlled by Google means that Kenya would be reliant on a foreign company for a critical national infrastructure element, posing potential security and national sovereignty risks.

Secondly, the Google postcode system may not adequately address the unique needs and challenges of the Kenyan context, such as disparities between formal and informal settlements in urban and rural areas.

Additionally, it may lack the flexibility to accommodate the diverse cultural and linguistic identities prevalent in Kenya, potentially leading to a loss of identity and cultural heritage.

Main challenges

One of the problems bedeviling the addressing system is the current postcode system in Kenya, which is linked to geographical postal delivery office locations, rather than identifying counties or specific properties. This limitation hinders its efficacy as a national addressing system.

The significant challenge is the lack of standardization. The system employs different address formats, complicating location finding, and inconsistencies in street name spelling cause confusion and mail delivery errors. A standardized address format implemented nationwide is necessary to mitigate this issue.

Kenya’s rapid urbanization presents another challenge for the addressing system. The constant creation of new streets and buildings makes it difficult to maintain an up-to-date addressing system. Additionally, some areas, particularly rural, still lack well-defined addresses, making it challenging for residents in these areas to receive mail and other deliveries.

Moving Forward: Proposals and Reforms

Addressing the challenges facing Kenya’s addressing system necessitates reforms. A key proposed reform involves creating a standardized address format that will be consistently used across the country. This format would comprise critical information such as street names, building numbers, and other essential data needed for locating specific places. A standardized format would mitigate confusion and errors in mail delivery, making it significantly easier for people to locate specific places.

The integration of technology is paramount to the reform of the addressing system. Digital mapping platforms can supply detailed maps and location information, enhancing people’s ability to navigate and locate specific places. Moreover, technological solutions can aid in the regular updating of the addressing system, keeping pace with rapid urbanization.

Public education also forms a crucial part of the proposed reforms. It’s necessary to educate both individuals and businesses on the importance of using correct and standardized addresses. This initiative would ensure everyone understands the value of the addressing system and the means to improve it.

When considering the best approach to numbering, it’s advisable to use a sequential numbering system in urban areas with well-structured street layouts, as it provides an intuitive addressing system. However, in rural or suburban areas with irregular layouts, a metric system of numbering may be more suitable. It provides flexibility in assigning addresses based on actual location or distance along roads.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Kenya’s addressing system has seen significant progress, transitioning from reliance on landmarks and descriptive instructions to a more standardized system using geographical coordinates, road names, and building numbers. Yet, the need for further reforms to enhance the system’s efficiency and effectiveness remains paramount. The proposed reforms of standardizing address formats, leveraging technology, and bolstering public education on the importance of correct and standardized addresses hold substantial promise for improving the country’s addressing system. Implementing these reforms can lead to a more accurate, efficient, and accessible addressing system, thereby facilitating economic development across Kenya.