Regional Integration from within: Transition to the Greater Nairobi Metropolitan Region in Kenya from the Perspective of Metal Valence Bond Theory

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 Ka jiado, 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 busi ness 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.