Kisumu’s dream to transform its informal settlement into modern residential areas is rapidly gaining traction following the commencement of construction works of the mega Kshs.1.4 billion infrastructural project.
On 18th January 2024, Kisumu Governor H.E Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o officially launched the construction of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP 2) infrastructure projects in Kondele Ward with the aim of improving living conditions in the City’s informal dwellings.
Kisumu qualified for KISIP 2 following the successful implementation of KISIP 1 which came to a close in 2020. This second phase is being implemented in Bandani, Nyawita, Kibuye, Migosi, Manyatta A and B, and Muhoroni informal settlements. Key infrastructure projects including road works, water works, sewer works and electrical works will greatly improve the physical and economic potential of the settlements setting a path towards new economics for sustainable development.
The settlements of Bandani, Nyawita, Manyatta and Migosi are filled with the buzz of activity as the sound of heavy trucks and excavators fill the air, a clear indicator that the residents’ long awaited dream of having motorable roads is soon coming to a reality.
George Odhiambo, a resident of Bandani Settlement could not hide his joy when a team from KISIP National Office visited the area to inspect on-going works. In his own words Odhiambo said,
“The construction of Auji – Pundo road has been long overdue, this is a big infrastructural project that our slum has been yearning for years. Bandani has been land-locked for quite a while and this road is going to connect us to the Central Business District (CBD)”.
Odhiambo added the road will thus improve businesses around as it will allow access to surrounding areas. Additionally, other infrastructural developments lined up for the settlements such as drainages is set to improve the value of real estate in the area making the settlements more formal. The value of land is also set to go up in the selected areas.
Issues of insecurity are also set to be dealt with quite significantly with the erection of high-mast flood lights across the slums allowing residents to move freely in well lit streets.
Most importantly it will improve emergency health response as residents will now be able to access facilities with ease in times of emergencies. Kisumu has been deliberate on health emergency response across the County and even set up an emergency response centre at the County Referral Hospital to directly handle distress calls arising from residents. However, the response requires good motorable roads where ambulances can quickly drive through to pick up patients and deliver immediate interventions.
Just a few kilometres from Bandani is Beldine Akoth, a casual worker at one of the KISIP 2 construction sites in Manyatta A ward where she has been absorbed to help with casual work. Beldine was all smiles as she narrated how the project has impacted her life. Beldine says she is now able to pay her children’s school fees, put food on the table and pay her rent with a lot of ease from her earnings.
The project is changing lives across the City as it has created employment opportunities to residents from the selected settlements. In Bandani alone, the project has employed 4 technical persons and will employ and additional twenty (20) personnel as casuals. This is the situation across the settlements as youths are employed in the various projects.
The on-going works are currently at earthworks stages which include; site clearance, top soil stripping and back filling. The works will see the roads built to bitumen standards with installation of culverts and flood lights, and construction of drainages across the settlements among others.
According to Chaju Builder’s Projects Coordinator Eng. Kevin Owilla, the works being implemented by Chaju Builders under lot 1 will be completed in the next Nine (9) months to allow residents experience their new way of life. Muhoroni and Kibuye will be implemented under lot 2 by Octagon Builders.
Coming from the residents themselves, the communities have embraced the project terming it as a game changer and are willingly relocating their wares to give room for construction of projects they believe will greatly improve their economic status. KISIP 2 funded by the World Bank aims at improving access to basic services and land tenure security of residents in participating settlements and strengthening of institutional capacity for slum upgrading in Kenya.
The United Nations Urban Development agenda explicitly outlines that smart and resilient cities and urban dwellings must provide quality services to the residents as well as be responsive to emerging unforeseen situations while playing a critical role in enabling dignified habitation. Governor Nyong’o in his manifesto had the vision of building Kisumu City as the premier African intermediary city of the future. The on-going infrastructural developments around Kisumu City thus are a confirmation that the dream is fast gathering space.
Coupled with the completion of the Kisumu City Physical and Land Use Development Plan that will inform systematic and sustainable urban growth, Kisumu is indeed making the right foot steps towards the realization of its urban renewal and regeneration agenda.