Nakuru Receives World Bank Funding for Slum Upgrades

Nakuru, Kenya – The State Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced a significant financial commitment of Sh 1 billion towards the enhancement of living conditions within informal settlements in Nakuru, under the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Programme II (KISIP). This initiative is a continuation of efforts to improve infrastructure and access to basic services in low-income areas.

According to Kenya News Agency, the World Bank-funded initiative has allocated Shs 500 million to the County Government of Nakuru to support ongoing projects aimed at enhancing basic service access in the Kwa-Murogi, London, Lake View areas of Nakuru Town, and the Karagita slums in Naivasha.

The project’s scope includes upgrading drainage systems, managing waste, improving roads, and installing street and high-mast floodlights within these communities. Mr. Kamau Kuria, the County Chief Officer in Charge of Housing and Urban Development, stated that the initiative also encompasses the finalization of designs for the upgrade of the Kapkures and Kiratina slums in Nakuru municipality, as well as the Mwisho wa Lami settlements in Njoro Sub-County, and Tayari low-income areas, with an additional budget of Shs 500 million.

During an inspection by the KISIP National Project Coordination Team and the County Project Coordination Team, Mr. Kuria highlighted the project’s comprehensive approach, which includes issuing title deeds, laying sewerage lines, and water connectivity. He assured residents that the project consultants are committed to delivering value for the invested funds.

George Arwa, the KISIP National Project Coordinator, revealed that the project is part of a larger Sh31.7 billion initiative funded by the World Bank and the French Development Agency to improve low-cost housing and general infrastructure in 33 counties across Kenya. This effort aims at enhancing land tenure security and infrastructure, including roads, drainage, pedestrian walkways, and water connections, while also linking beneficiaries to socio-economic opportunities.

The alarming rate of urban population growth in Kenya, with a significant portion living in slums, underscores the urgency of such projects. By 2020, Kenya had nearly 7.6 million urban dwellers living in informal settlements. The World Bank’s initial phase of KISIP provided Nakuru County with a Sh429.7 million grant, benefiting slums like Kaptembwa, Kivumbini, and Lake-View through improvements in drainage, waste management, road tarmacking, and lighting.

The project aligns with Governor Susan Kihika’s broader vision for Nakuru, including a master plan to redesign the town and alleviate congestion. The KISIP-2, according to Mr. Kuria, represents a transformative step towards improving living standards through access to basic services and land tenure security for thousands of Nakuru’s informal settlement residents.

Nakuru KISIP-2 site engineer Peris Wachira reported significant progress on various infrastructure projects, including road tarmacking and walkway improvements, which are expected to be completed within a year. The initiative has also provided employment opportunities for over 200 youths in Nakuru town.

Residents like Linet Kerubo of Kwa-Murogi have expressed optimism about the project’s potential to significantly uplift living standards in previously dilapidated areas, emphasizing the importance of road access, sanitation, electricity, and land ownership. The KISIP initiative also supports the national government’s affordable housing efforts and aims to formalize informal settlements, providing residents with basic infrastructure services and land tenure security as part of Kenya’s Vision 2030 goals.