Kenya will no longer name a street after you if you are alive

Naming streets after people who are still alive, politicians or chiefs will soon be a thing of the past in Kenya.

The Communication Authority of Kenya (CA) wants naming of roads and streets after people who are still alive banned and a national framework to guide naming of streets and numbering of properties established.

The authority’s assistant director Martin Ngesa said current system of naming streets is being haphazardly done creating confusion and affecting e-commerce uptake.

“For example, streets such as Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie and Kenyatta Avenue among others can be found in both Mombasa and Nairobi.This should not be the case. Repetition of road names has been a common thing in the past, but this does not comply with recognised standards because when there is a property on such a road, search engines confuse users,” a local daily quoted Mr Ngesa saying.

Road signs are also not being properly maintained with some signage being neglected to the point of rusting away and further creating more confusion.

The authority has since formed a secretariat to streamline the sector and has already presented a draft policy to counties for review.

“Naming and numbering of streets guidelines haven't been developed elsewhere in the country to recognised international standards, except Nairobi to some extent.

"Under the draft proposals, names with similar pronunciations but different spelling shall be avoided. The draft seeks to make far reaching changes in the way streets are named,” he added.

Street names chosen should promote community image and drawn from local history, culture, traditions and landmarks.

Counties will be responsible for naming streets both in urban and rural areas under the County Address Unit after which CA secretariat unit will vet proposals of names and then forward them to the County Assembly for approval.

“After this is done, street names and property addresses shall be geo-referenced to allow navigation,” he added.