Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o watering plants during the beautification exercise at the City’s Central Square ( picture by Lennox Omondi)
By Nancy Juma
The City of Kisumu is undergoing a rebirth through a well thought out and structured urban renewal as outlined in Governor Nyong’os Manifesto. The transformation is reflected in the ongoing major infrastructural developments.
Early last year, the County Government embarked on a major beautification process to give the City a new look and bring back its lost glory. This beautification process has today received a boost after the County Government through the City of Kisumu partnered with local Corporate entities to complement its efforts in improving the face of the City, positioning it as a true African City for the Future in line with the Africities Summit theme, “The role of Intermediary Cities in Implementing Agenda 2063 of African Union and Agenda 2030 of United Nations”.
Under the programme dubbed, “Transforming Kisumu City Through Enhanced Urban Aesthetics”, the City of Kisumu in collaboration with other stakeholders will join hands through Public – Private Partnerships (PPP) to clean and beautify the city and its environs beginning with the beautification of roundabouts, gardens, parks, and open spaces, urban afforestation and streetscaping. The PPP is expected to elevate the City by improving on its status once complete.
Kisumu is privileged to have been identified to host the 9th Edition of Africities Summit, a premier gathering that brings together cities and local Governments in Africa in a platform that shares and discusses experiences of the urban space. The beatification process follows a concept of intermediary cities being the focal growth areas of Africa’s Urbanization where the continent expects to generate about 60% of its Growth Domestic Product (GDP).
Kisumu being the first Intermediary City to host Africities is therefore positioning itself as a focal intermediary city for economic development as the Summit will put Kisumu on the World map.
Speaking after unveiling the programme at the City’s Central Square, Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o outlined to the residents some of the key projects planned for the City for improved economic development. He thanked President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt. Raila Odinga for the projects initiated within the County even as he appealed to the residents to support government’s efforts in realizing a clean City. He said his government is committed in transforming all sections of the County by putting up requisite infrastructure necessary for economic development.
Some of the spaces set to benefit from the on-going beautification exercise include Roundabouts – at Kachok, Kisumu Boys, Patel Flats, St. Stephen’s Church, Aga Khan Hospital, Golf Course, Airport Roundabout, Otonglo stage up to Obunga market, Taifa Park, and Oginga Odinga Street among others.
