More than 200,000 residents of Matisi, Tuwan, Shanti, Kipsongo, Mitume, and other informal settlements in Kitale, Trans Nzoia, will benefit from a slum upgrade program funded by the World Bank, the national government, and the county government.
Area Governor George Natembeya launched the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Program II (KISIP-II) at Kipsongo, aiming to upgrade the slum areas and provide enhanced amenities to the residents.
Natembeya disclosed that the slated activities for the next year entail tarmacking road networks within the slums, installing streetlights, enhancing water connectivity, and opening up drainages.
"The positive changes for these areas begin today to ensure that our people live dignified lives. You will have better access to water, drainage systems will be improved, and street lights will be installed," he said.
He urged the communities involved in the upgrade projects to take ownership and protect them from vandalism and theft, emphasizing that these developments are for their benefit, not the government's as some may think.
The governor noted that the new developments will help foster economic growth, pointing out that the installation of the street lights will ensure that businesses can run for 24 hours since security will be enhanced.
He at the same time assured those who will be affected by the projects that the government will compensate them so that they can give way for the benefit of the larger community.
Approximately Sh 900 million has been earmarked for the second phase of the KISIP infrastructure program alone.
The KISIP II program also includes tenure regularization for Khalabana and Maridadi informal settlements in Endebess and Kwanza sub-counties respectively.
Lands, Housing and Urban Planning County Executive Janerose Mutama noted that while Trans Nzoia was blessed with land fertility, it was also blessed with human fertility and that there was a need to plan for land and housing for the increasing populations.
“It is hence our responsibility to regulate minute land subdivision and change of user for developments undertaken in the parcels of land. We are committed to doing this to improve the lives of our people,” said Ms. Mutama.
She hailed the governor for his 10-point agenda on development that includes the housing program and assured that she would spearhead the governor’s agenda that falls under her docket.
Chief Officer in the department, Dr. Roseline Nasiebanda, called on contractors to ensure they have the requisite documentation, even as she challenged them to fast-track the works so that their dues could also be processed in good time.
Her sentiments were echoed by the County Assembly chairperson for Lands, Housing, and Urban Development, Alfred Weswa, who challenged the contractors to do quality work so that value for money is realized.