Over 200,000 dwellers of Matisi, Tuwan, Shanti, Kipsongo, Mitume, and other makeshift estates of Kitale in Trans Nzoia are set to benefit from a slum upgrade program courtesy of the World Bank, the national government, and the county administration. Governor George Natembeya on Friday launched the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Program II (KISIP-II) at Kipsongo, aiming to upgrade the slum areas to provide enhanced amenities to the dwellers.
Speaking at the launch attended by a mammoth crowd, Natembeya disclosed that the slated activities for the next year include tarmacking road networks within the slums, installing streetlights, enhancing water connectivity, and opening up drainages. Natembeya assured the local communities that he had instructed contractors offering the upgrade services in the identified area to prioritize them in job opportunities, stating that except for technical areas requiring high expertise, other jobs would be sourced locally.
“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 streetlights will be installed,” said the county boss. He challenged the communities where the upgrade projects are undertaken to own and safeguard them from vandalism and theft, citing that the developments were for their benefit and not for the government as perceived by others.
Natembeya noted that development projects cost huge sums of money, citing road tarmacking as an example, and that it was uncalled for to destroy amenities meant for general public use. The governor emphasized that the new developments will help foster economic growth, pointing out that installing the streetlights will ensure businesses can run for 24 hours since security will be enhanced. He also assured those affected by the projects that the government would compensate them to benefit the larger community.
Approximately Kes 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, necessitating the planning 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 Mutama.
She hailed the governor for his 10-point agenda on development, including 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, challenging them to fast-track the works so that their dues could 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 to ensure value for money is realized.
