By Yoga David
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o addressing the PINUA National Stakeholder Forum
The High-level segment of the PINUA (Partnership Implementing the New Urban Agenda)National Stakeholder Engagement Forum at Safaripark Hotel in Nairobi brought together key leaders shaping Kenya’s urban future with Governor Anyang Nyong’o taking center stage.
Governor Nyong’o as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors’ Land, Housing and Urban Development Committee, emphasized that “Housing can no longer be treated as a peripheral social concern. It is, and must remain, a central pillar of economic progress and social justice.”
The forum, convened under the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) and supported by the European Union, provided a platform for knowledge exchange and coordination among government, civil society and urban development experts.
Among the participants were Susan Nakhumicha, Permanent Representative of Kenya to UN-Habitat, Ms. Claudia Blodrini Head Infrastructure European Union, senior leadership from UN-Habitat led by Mr. Oumar Sylla and senior officials from the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.
Governor Nyong’o highlighted Kisumu County’s leadership in implementing PINUA, describing the program as a transformative initiative that places Kisumu residents at the heart of urban development.
He noted “In Kisumu County, we recognize that providing adequate and affordable housing for all may not be achieved overnight. Yet responsible leadership demands that we lay the foundation today, both for the immediate needs of our citizens and for the generations that will inherit our cities tomorrow.”
In a major milestone for Kisumu, last year Governor Nyong’o and the UN-Habitat signed a Ksh 2.7 billion social housing upgrade, set to deliver inclusive and sustainable community led development.
The pilot phase of the program in Kibuye Estate will see the construction of affordable rental units, in a cooperative housing model. Starting with two blocks of 24 housing units and eventually have a total of 360 affordable one- and two-bedroom rental units owned by the county.
For the informal settlements of Shaurimoyo and Shauriyako in Muhoroni the program will adopt a different community-enabling approach to facilitate the construction of up to 800 houses of various sizes.
“This initiative advances the co-production of green housing, the upgrading of informal settlements, and participatory urban development, ensuring that residents themselves are central actors in shaping the future of their neighborhoods.” The Governor said.
He concluded by saying “Our commitment is clear: to build abodes that are just, sustainable and worthy of the dignity of our people”
The County Government of Kisumu is currently undertaking an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the program. This statutory process ensures environmental sustainability, social protection and public participation in implementing the PINUA development projects.
