NAKURU: The State Department of Housing and Urban Development has allocated Sh1.3 billion to upgrade four informal settlements in Nakuru as part of the second phase of the Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Programme 2 (KISIP). This initiative aims to transform the low-income areas of Kwa-Murogi, London, Lake View within Nakuru Town, and Karagita slums in Naivasha, with completion expected by January 2025.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nakuru’s County Chief Officer for Housing and Urban Planning, Mr. Kamau Kuria, highlighted that the funds will address issues such as poor road networks, water shortages, and inadequate sewerage and drainage systems. The project will not only focus on slum upgrading but will also enhance drainage infrastructure, waste management, road improvements, and the installation of street lighting and floodlights.
The county government, in collaboration with the State Department of Housing and Urban Development and the World Bank, has already allocated Sh500 million earlier this y
ear for ongoing projects in these settlements. Plans are also underway to upgrade additional slums, including Kapkures and Kiratina in Nakuru municipality, Mwisho wa Lami in Njoro Sub-County, and Tayari low-income settlements, at an additional cost of Sh800 million.
Mr. Kuria, speaking after inspecting the ongoing projects, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the KISIP National Project Coordination Team (NPCT) and the County Project Coordination Team (CPCT) to ensure value for money and proper project execution. The county is also mapping out potential areas for infrastructure expansion to enhance accessibility while supporting investment and socio-economic growth for residents.
The first phase of KISIP saw Nakuru County benefiting from a Sh429.7 million World Bank grant, which improved drainage infrastructure, waste management, and road tarmacking in eight slums, among other developments. The current phase of KISIP is expected to further improve living conditions through enhanced access to s
ervices and land tenure security for thousands of residents.
According to KISIP National Project Coordinator George Arwa, more than 400 informal settlement schemes across Kenya will benefit from a Sh31.7 billion multilateral donor fund provided by the World Bank and the French Development Agency. This funding will support infrastructure improvements, water and lighting access, and social inclusion in slums across 33 counties.
Mr. Arwa noted that the KISIP project aims to supplement the national government’s efforts to provide affordable housing and is designed to enhance land tenure security, infrastructure, and services in informal settlements. The project is also focused on linking beneficiaries to socio-economic opportunities and building the capacity of national and county governments to implement slum upgrading policies.
The initiative comes as a response to the alarming rise in urban populations living in slums, with a recent study identifying 1,400 informal settlements in Kenya. This highlights the
urgent need for formal structures to address the degrading conditions faced by urban dwellers in these areas.