Thousands of residents from eleven informal settlements in Kisumu County are set to benefit from major community development under the Sh1.3 billion projects implemented through the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II).
KISIP II targets to upgrade roads, markets, storm water drainage, solid waste management, and street lighting, enhancing access to basic infrastructure and land tenure security in Bandani, Nyawita, Migosi, Manyatta A, Manyatta B, Kibuye, Shauri Yako, Shauri Moyo, Swahili, Bondeni and Sangoro.
Kisumu County KISIP II Coordinator, Patrick Ogunde, speaking during a capacity-building training for Settlement Executive Committee (SEC) Members, urged the residents to safeguard public development projects and ensure sustainable management of KISIP II investments.
Ogunde called upon the locals to safeguard completed infrastructure, citing encroachment of roads and drainage corridors in Kibuye as a growing concern.
He underscored the critical roles of stakeholders, especially the SEC members in safeguarding the community infrastructure, while promoting accountability and strengthening grievance redress mechanisms.
The Coordinator pledged for enhanced public sensitization and enforcement measures to ensure the projects remain protected and beneficial to the community.
“We are empowering communities with the knowledge and skills needed to safeguard infrastructure investments, strengthen accountability, promote environmental stewardship and ensure that the benefits of the project are sustained for generations to come,” Ogunde stated.
The government, through KISIP II, is undertaking major infrastructure projects aimed at closing long-standing development gaps in Kisumu’s informal settlements.
The projects include the upgrading of the Auji–Pundo Road and Pundo–NITA Road in Bandani, as well as the Pamjos–Kanyamedha Road.
The Kanyamedha–Toyota Kenya Road, which links the Bandani Settlement to the Kondele–Busia Bypass, is also being tarmacked to improve connectivity.
In Nyawita, the Koyoo–Koyuga Road is being upgraded, while Migosi is benefiting from four kilometres of independent drainage infrastructure, sewer connectivity, and the installation of floodlights in various markets.
The drainage works in Migosi is expected to reduce flooding, improve accessibility during the rainy season, protect homes and businesses and enhance public health.
In Manyatta A, road upgrades have been completed alongside drainage and cabro-paved walkways, including works on the Kaombe–Kasawino Road.
Meanwhile, in Manyatta B, more than 250 households are set to benefit from last-mile water and sewer connectivity, improving access to essential services.
The initiative, which is being implemented by the State Department for Housing and county governments, is funded by the World Bank and the French Development Bank (AFD).
By Robert Ojwang’
