Kisumu: The Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP) has launched a transformative initiative in Kisumu County, targeting urban informal settlements with a Sh1.2 billion to Sh1.3 billion infrastructure upgrade. This significant development, backed by the World Bank and Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement (AFD), aims to improve basic services, roads, and land tenure security in underserved areas.
According to Kenya News Agency, the project is part of KISIP Phase 2 and focuses on upgrading roads and walkways to bitumen standards, constructing stormwater management systems, and installing high-mast security lights. These improvements aim to address long-standing challenges in Nyalenda and Manyatta, two of Kisumu's largest informal settlements, where residents have faced impassable roads, flooding, and crime.
The intervention includes the modernization of markets like Kibuye Market, supporting local traders. The densely populated areas of Nyalenda and Manyatta, home to an estimated 76,000 to over 100,000 people, have historically been isolated from Kisumu's economic growth. The lack of basic urban amenities has left thousands living in vulnerable conditions, with emergency response vehicles struggling to navigate during crises.
Under KISIP II, Nyalenda A, Nyalenda B, Manyatta A, and Manyatta B are experiencing significant upgrades. The project is replacing mud tracks with durable bitumen roads and installing solar-powered floodlights to improve safety. Key roads have been opened, linking settlements to major urban arteries and enhancing accessibility.
The project also addresses geographical challenges, such as the swelling nature of local soils, by engineering roads to withstand Kisumu's terrain. Eng. Kevin Owilla, a project coordinator, highlights the importance of concrete stormwater channels in reducing flood risks and improving public health by eliminating mosquito breeding grounds.
The installation of high-mast solar floodlights has revitalized the local economic ecosystem, extending trading hours and improving business conditions for vendors like Mama Jane Atieno. The improvements have also benefited the transport sector, with boda-boda operators experiencing fewer breakdowns and increased safety.
In addition to infrastructure, KISIP II is tackling land tenure insecurity by issuing legally recognized allotment letters and land title deeds. This initiative encourages property investment and opens access to formal credit for local entrepreneurs, fostering sustainable urban renewal.
The holistic approach of KISIP II demonstrates that upgrading informal settlements can be achieved without displacing communities. City Manager Abala Wanga commends the county administration under Governor Prof. Peter Anyang` Nyong`o for addressing the challenges of housing and infrastructure, working with stakeholders to improve living conditions in Kisumu.