By A, KNA
The Kiambu county government has commenced a comprehensive mapping exercise of all informal settlements within the county, as part of its commitment to enhancing data-driven planning and inclusive service delivery.
The initiative, falling under Kenya Informal Settlement Improvement Project (KISIP) 2 Component 3 Institutional Capacity Development for Slum Upgrading, was officially launched this week, when the housing Community and Development Directorate welcomed a consultant tasked with executing the project.
Julius Mwololo, Director of Housing and County KISIP Coordinator, led the county project coordinating team in receiving the consultant.
The meeting set the stage for what officials described as a crucial step towards understanding the true extent and nature of informal settlements across Kiambu County.
The mapping exercise is expected to provide comprehensive data on the location, population, existing infrastructure, and service gaps in informal settlements throughout the county.
This information will be instrumental in formulating targeted interventions and ensuring that development planning addresses the needs of all residents, including those in underserved areas.
KISIP, the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project, is a government initiative, aimed at improving living conditions in informal settlements through infrastructure development, security of tenure, and capacity building for local authorities.
“Living conditions in informal settlements like ours have been challenging for years,” said Mary Wanjiru, a resident of one of Kiambu’s informal settlements.
“We lack proper roads, drainage systems, and sometimes even clean water. If this mapping exercise leads to real improvements in our living standards, it will be life-changing for our community. We hope the government will use this data to bring us the services we desperately need,” she said.
John Kimani, a community leader in another informal settlement, expressed cautious optimism about the project.
“We have seen many surveys and assessments before, but the real question is implementation. We welcome this initiative and are ready to cooperate fully with the consultants.
However, we expect that after the mapping is done, concrete action will follow. Our people need better housing, sanitation, and access to basic services,” he said.
The county government has assured residents that the mapping exercise will be conducted transparently and will involve community participation to ensure accuracy and inclusivity.
The data collected will inform the county’s urban planning strategies and resource allocation for slum upgrading programs.