ABSTRACT
Valence bond theory (VBT) was
developed by Linus Paulin. It assumes that the metal-ligand bonds are formed by
donating an electron pair by the ligand to the metal and thus form a coordinate
bond between the metal and ligand. Economic, social, and political sharing
creates a strong bond between Nairobi city and the three county towns of
Kiambu, Machakos, and Kajiado. In the
modern dispensation, agglomeration of neighboring urban centers and their
adjacent rural areas are transforming into regional economic development areas
guided by political outline. There is a likelihood that cities adjacent to each
other can grow and expand until they are joined, forming a formidable economic development bloc. Nairobi, Kiambu,
Mlolongo Athi River, Machakos, Ngong, Kitengela, and Kajiado have a
trend that, in 25 years, they will have merged into a conglomeration of a mega
urban area. This paper empirically examines the four-county towns: Nairobi,
Machakos, Kiambu, and Kajiado, using a
geospatial perspective to assess the probability that Nairobi Metropolitan Area can change into the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region through
integration. Our case study is premised on the coupling distance between the
urban centers is made to be understood because of the metal valence bond
theory. That is how sharing resources of neighboring urban centers with their
counties can be made into a regional economic development hub. We found that:
There are Challenges facing the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region integration
process. Industrial satellites; EPZ in Athi River Machakos County and Thika in
Kiambu County are spillovers from Nairobi city and vital to the peripheral
counties’ industrialization. The current infrastructure (Roads, railways, water
and sewer systems, electricity supply, and
airports) in the envisaged Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region is adequate to
steer regional integration and development. Infrastructure is very crucial to
regional economic and social integration. Member counties must grant some
powers or sovereignty to a supra-institution—The
Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region for it to execute the regional objectives.
A more excellent Nairobi Metropolitan Region agreement should spell out
explicitly provisions for its legal personality for it to execute the regional
objectives. The greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region needs functional
personality and descriptive capacity to steward
regional development integration. A capacity-building program against insecurity and terrorism is needed for the greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region
to realize peace, security, and development in the face of insecurity and terrorism. Creation of The Greater Nairobi
Metropolitan Regional Inter-county Assembly union to introduce the
context for popular participation in
decision-making and advance cooperation is necessary. The removal of trade
tariffs/licenses in the metropolitan region should be developed to enhance business
growth by lowering business costs across counties. Member counties should identify any cross inter-border economic
activities that they can start cooperating on, eventually leading to a
comprehensive Greater Nairobi Metropolitan regional integration. Political,
economic, and social challenges face the realization of the Greater Nairobi
Metropolitan Regional integration. Finally, infrastructure has a sustainable
impact on the transportation, trade, development, and integration of the
Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region.